`Kung Fu Panda` lawsuit goes forward

Washington: A writer filed a lawsuit against DreamWorks Animation for allegedly stealing his idea for `Kung Fu Panda` has been given the permission to look into the firm`s private financial records.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Terence Dunn sued the firm in June (10), claiming DreamWorks Animation bosses used a story he pitched to them back in 2001, about a "spiritual kung fu fighting panda bear", as the basis for the popular picture, reports the Daily Star. Film company bosses hit back and filed a motion in a bid to stop Dunn accessing their records to assess a potential damages claim, but the request has been rejected. Now, Dunn and his legal team would be able to gather internal documents about box office, DVD and merchandise revenues to help support Dunn`s claim that the studio made millions from his idea. A trial of the 2008 movie, which features the voices of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie, is scheduled for 2011. ANI