Disney and Fox sued in the United States for $ 1 billion for Malaysia theme park

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Casino operator Genting Malaysia on Monday sued over $ 1 billion in lawsuits against Walt Disney and Twenty-First Century Fox, accusing them of abandoning a deal related to the construction of the first Fox theme park.

According to Genting, the "seller's remorse" has led Fox, with Disney's help, to break its 2013 contract with the Fox Entertainment Group to license the intellectual property of Fox World, a project by 39, extension Resorts World Genting complex, located one hour from Kuala Lumpur.

Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Dan Berger, a spokesman for Twentieth Century Fox Film, one of the defendants, declined to comment.

The lawsuit was filed in the US court in Los Angeles while Disney was preparing to finalize the purchase of many assets of Fox for $ 71.3 billion, scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.

Mr. Genting said the problems started when Fox took years to force a renegotiation of the contract, which did not give him a share of sales at the door.

But according to the complaint, Disney "is currently taking the measures that impose" and wants to end the contract, because being associated with a video game company did not match its brand strategy "family friendly".

Mr. Genting stated that Fox had issued a notice of default in the hope of terminating the contract, in a manner "entirely consistent with the fact that Disney wished to terminate the transaction" in order to To take advantage of.

"Given that the FEG did not have the right to terminate the contract, Fox and Disney are responsible for what will exceed the $ 1 billion of damages attributable to the bad faith behavior of Fox and Disney," he said. declared the complaint.

Genting said it has already made an "investment of more than $ 750 million" in Fox World. He also seeks punitive damages.

According to the complaint, Resorts World Genting includes Malaysia's only legal land-based casino, seven hotels, shopping centers, entertainment venues, gondolas and numerous restaurants, bars and clubs. More than 23 million people visit each year, according to the complaint.