Now, first off let me say this is not an insult to Dr. Cussler. I love the books dearly and I cannot wait to read the next one once I get some free time. This is merely an opinion on the mess that is the Sahara trial.
Both the defendent and the prosecution screwed up. Back before the movie was even out, they both messed up. Anschutz (I hope I spelled it right) gave Dr. Cussler an amazing deal, with creative authority on the film and a lot of movie. This should have been perfect. After Raise the Titanic!, Dr. Cussler should have been thrilled to have a big budget adaptation made about his book. He gave McConaughey the okay as Dirk. Things were looking fine.
Then Anschutz made the first mistake by going ahead with the rewrite and excluding Cussler. I understand deadlines and the like, and the need to get the production rolling. However, he excluded the man who's membership in the creative process was required by contract. Yes Dr. Cussler may have been a bit over the top with the rejected scripts, but a compromise should have been worked out.
So the movie is made, and promotion starts. It has a moderately popular star, a famous female lead, and what looks to be a fun adventure. Then Dr. Cussler makes a bad move and starts badmouthing the movie. Now, for a guy who was disapointed in Raise the Titanic!, it seems like he was deliberately going for the same result as RtT!. At least wait until after the movie comes out. So, the end result, the movie does not do so well in the box office, and both sides are given ammunition to use in the trial.
Now, regardless of whether or not you like Sahara (personally, I love it. It got me into the books and I watch it regularly), or who you support in this, both sides made some bad moves. In the end, someone may win, but it is we the fans who shall ultimately lose, as all chances of more movies are basically killed.
It's a major bummer.
I think you made some good points.
You are 100% right in that the only real loser here is going to be the fans. If more movies get made without Cussler's input we have to endure seeing our favourite book/ character ruined on screen. If no more movies are made, well then we don't get to see our favourite book/ character on screen ever again......it's a tough call.