Title Spat Over, the Weinstein Co. Releases 1st Poster for ‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler’

Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey star in the historical drama

The Weinstein Co. has released the first official poster for "Lee Daniels' The Butler."

TWC was forced to add the director's name to the title of the film after losing an appeal to the MPAA, which ruled in favor of Warner Bros. on Friday.

Also read: MPAA Rules Weinstein Can Use 'Lee Daniels' The Butler'

The ruling states that the font of "Lee Daniels" must be at least 75% of the font of "The Butler."

Under the ruling, the Weinstein Co. will also have to pay $400,000 to the Entertainment Industry Foundation for its violations, an additional $100,000 to the EIF and pay up to $150,000 to Warner Bros. for legal fees.

MPAA prohibited TWC from naming the movie "The Butler" because Warner Bros. owns the rights to the title. The studio released a 1916 short film of the same name.

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" will be released Aug. 16. The movie tells the story of the White House's head butler (Forest Whitaker), Cecil Gaines, who served eight presidents from 1952 to 1986. The cast includes John Cusack, Robin Williams, Oprah Winfrey and Jane Fonda.

 

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