Architect stakes claim on Brando island

Marlon Brando's family's plans to turn his private Polynesian island into a luxury tourist attraction has hit a snag - an architect has declared rights to build a home there.

Brando, who died on July 1, bought the Tahitian atoll of Tetiaroa after making Mutiny on the Bounty in the 1960s and often made trips there for sun-kissed relaxation.

And his son Mike recently announced plans to turn the tropical escape into a high-class destination.

He told the Los Angeles Times: "I think there's talk about developing half of it, because at the end, my father wanted to develop it and have a hotel franchise take it over and develop it as a resort.

"He was talking with a big hotel franchise that would set it up as a luxury resort, hotel and spa. He never got around to it, so you know, if it comes up, that's an option we have."

But Los Angeles architect Bernard Judge, who oversaw planning on Tetiaroa after Brando bought it, claims the right to build a residence on the island, citing a 1971 contract.

While Mike insists that his father would have wanted a resort on the island, sources say the actor wanted the exact opposite wishing instead to preserve Tetiaroa's bird sanctuary, turtle habitat and natural beauty.