INAL, but I think they have something resembling a case. It's far from secure, though.
I would imagine that they don't _really_ want to stop the movie from airing. Rather, I think they want on board.
The timing is pretty good, because, at this point, the movie will almost certainly be delayed a bit. Now, it isn't exactly a Bond movie or The Matrix, but when a company has to shift dates at the last minute, it does get some attension. Some of that attension will fall to WWGS because they are the cause of the delay. Remember, there's no such thing as bad press.
Also, if they got a small share of the profits, it would be a handy bit of cash. For Sony, et al. even a 5% share might be less than the cost of waging the legal battle and/or losing even one of the points.
A little blurb in the credits noting WWGS property would also be a nice bit of advertising. Minimal cost to Sony and quite a boon for WWGS.
If this movie does well, and is acknowledged or promoted as being even slightly similar to the WoD, WWGS might have the opportunity to get back into Hollywood and make some WoD themed movies. Or, at least license their IP similar to how Marvel has done of late. Personally, I think there is a lot of potential in this idea. It just needs a catalyst.
In truth, since Mark Rein-Hagen spend a chunk of time in Hollywood in the 1990s pimping the WoD ("Kindred: the Embraced"), I think there is enough visibility of the WoD setting and fiction that there may be some grounds here.
I doubt that this is straightforward litigation in the sense that we "common folk" would pursue it. Rather, I think WWGS is doing some corporate maneuvering.
