Deadpool's dance moves spark legal battle with 90s pop star
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, known for its irreverence and meta-commentary, has stumbled into a surprisingly serious legal quagmire. It’s not Thanos or Magneto causing the trouble this time, but a dance routine resurrected from the late 90s pop scene, now prompting a lawsuit against Sony Music Holdings over its use in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The coreographer's claim: ownership and compensation
The dispute centers around a choreography sequence originally created by Darrin Henson for NSYNC’s iconic 1999 performance of “Bye Bye Bye” on the Radio Music Awards. Henson, who received an MTV Video Music Award for his work on the routine, alleges that Sony Music lacked the authority to license the choreography for use in the Deadpool & Wolverine film, let alone sublicense it to Marvel or allow its integration into Fortnite.
According to the lawsuit, filed on March 27th, Henson asserts full ownership of the choreography and seeks a court ruling to recognize his authorship and secure compensation for all profits generated by Sony and its licensees. The crux of his argument is that the dance has been divorced from its original context, now primarily associated with the film's characters, effectively erasing Henson’s contribution and rightful share of revenue.
The Fortnite Factor: A Fleeting Appearance The situation isn’t limited to the cinematic realm. Epic Games briefly incorporated the “Bye Bye Bye” emote into Fortnite in September 2024, a move that further complicates the legal landscape. The emote’s short run—just five days in the game’s item shop—suggests Epic anticipated potential issues, and its reappearance seems unlikely while the suit progresses.
While neither Marvel nor Epic Games are directly named as defendants, the case highlights a growing vulnerability in intellectual property rights within the Entertainment industry. The seemingly trivial act of incorporating a recognizable dance move into a blockbuster film or a popular video game can trigger a cascade of legal challenges, demonstrating that even iconic pop culture moments are subject to complex ownership agreements.
This isn't the first time dance routines have triggered legal battles; remember the wave of lawsuits against Epic Games a few years ago from performers claiming ownership of their moves featured in Fortnite? This situation demonstrates that copyright law isn't always a simple matter of melody and lyrics. It extends to the very movements that accompany those songs, a reality increasingly relevant in an era where viral trends and digital replication are the norm.
The case serves as a stark reminder that behind every viral emote or memorable cinematic sequence lies a potential claim for recognition and fair compensation. Henson’s pursuit of legal recourse underscores the need for clearer guidelines and more robust protections for choreographers in the digital age. As the legal proceedings unfold, both film fans and Fortnite players should be mindful of the intricate web of copyright law that underpins the Entertainment they consume—a web that’s far more complex than a simple dance routine.