Comments on: Tolkien Estate Sues New Line, Fate of Hobbit Films In Jeopardy http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/ Blogging the Reel World Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:13:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Evilproducer http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-294916 Evilproducer Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:05:45 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-294916 The reason the Tolkien estate didn't receive any (or very little) money for the LOTR films is because Tolkien had sold the movie rights back in the mid- to late sixties. Obviously I don't know the terms of the contract, but it is possible that there was a gross revenue clause or some such, but from what I've read it didn't appear to have any. The Hobbit movie rights may be a separate deal, or it may have been sold then to. If that's the case, then the estate may have no legal right. That being said, legal obligations and moral obligations are two different things. On a side note, Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R.'s son and executor) is a literalist regarding his father's work. He objected to New Line filming the LOTR and tried to sue to have it stopped because it wasn't true to the original. Ostensibly, the legal reason was that the estate felt the movies would devalue the books. The reason the Tolkien estate didn’t receive any (or very little) money for the LOTR films is because Tolkien had sold the movie rights back in the mid- to late sixties. Obviously I don’t know the terms of the contract, but it is possible that there was a gross revenue clause or some such, but from what I’ve read it didn’t appear to have any.

The Hobbit movie rights may be a separate deal, or it may have been sold then to. If that’s the case, then the estate may have no legal right. That being said, legal obligations and moral obligations are two different things.

On a side note, Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R.’s son and executor) is a literalist regarding his father’s work. He objected to New Line filming the LOTR and tried to sue to have it stopped because it wasn’t true to the original. Ostensibly, the legal reason was that the estate felt the movies would devalue the books.

]]> By: Alatar http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-210708 Alatar Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:27:10 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-210708 EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED :( i have waited long for the hobbit movie to come out, either the tolkien family doesnt want the movie to come out(after all they could have waited until after the movie was made) or theyjust want some unneeded cash who know? overall i am EXTREMELY, VERY, SAD EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED :( i have waited long for the hobbit movie to come out, either the tolkien family doesnt want the movie to come out(after all they could have waited until after the movie was made) or theyjust want some unneeded cash who know?

overall i am EXTREMELY, VERY, SAD

]]> By: Lawsuits: The New Hollywood Trend - Film School Rejects http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-202881 Lawsuits: The New Hollywood Trend - Film School Rejects Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:44:59 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-202881 [...] to be outdone, the Tolkien estate has crawled out of The Shire to sue New Line Cinema. Remember the ungodly amount of money The Lord of the Rings trilogy brought in? Something to the [...] [...] to be outdone, the Tolkien estate has crawled out of The Shire to sue New Line Cinema. Remember the ungodly amount of money The Lord of the Rings trilogy brought in? Something to the [...]

]]> By: Meli http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-201137 Meli Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:58:07 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-201137 It's a little baffling that the Tolkien Estate has not to this day receive any money for the LOTR movies. It's also baffling how the news has not come out until now, perhaps there have been secret demands and now the estate is finally fed up and is goning public? I've always thought New Line had some shady people working in their financial department. It’s a little baffling that the Tolkien Estate
has not to this day receive any money for the
LOTR movies. It’s also baffling how the news
has not come out until now, perhaps there have
been secret demands and now the estate is finally
fed up and is goning public?
I’ve always thought New Line had some shady
people working in their financial department.

]]> By: Atomicpopcorn.net - Movies and TV Reviews » Blog Archive » Tuesday Morning Recap http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200801 Atomicpopcorn.net - Movies and TV Reviews » Blog Archive » Tuesday Morning Recap Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:52:01 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200801 [...] The fate of the Hobbit films, in the hands of a lawsuit? [...] [...] The fate of the Hobbit films, in the hands of a lawsuit? [...]

]]> By: Angry Puppy » Blog Archive » So Little Time, So Many People to Sue http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200787 Angry Puppy » Blog Archive » So Little Time, So Many People to Sue Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:33:32 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200787 [...] /Film and [...] [...] /Film and [...]

]]> By: Hellen http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200374 Hellen Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:10:23 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200374 I worry that if the Hobbit gets taken to a new studio, that it won't share the same tone, or cast, (or Peter Jackson), with LOTR. It could end up feeling like a very different sort of film and a very awkward fit with the rest of the series. OTOH New Line is an ass and deserves to be screwed. I worry that if the Hobbit gets taken to a new studio, that it won’t share the same tone, or cast, (or Peter Jackson), with LOTR. It could end up feeling like a very different sort of film and a very awkward fit with the rest of the series.

OTOH New Line is an ass and deserves to be screwed.

]]> By: Hunter Stephenson http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200336 Hunter Stephenson Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:35:31 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200336 Yeah, I agree with all of you (obvi). What blows my mind is the way the Tolkien estate emphasizes that they didn't get a penny. That is a bold statement. How the eff is that even possible? Yeah, I agree with all of you (obvi). What blows my mind is the way the Tolkien estate emphasizes that they didn’t get a penny. That is a bold statement. How the eff is that even possible?

]]> By: Matt http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200317 Matt Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:04:03 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200317 as much as this sucks, the tolkien estate definitely deserves the money. what is up, new line? as much as this sucks, the tolkien estate definitely deserves the money. what is up, new line?

]]> By: Sauce http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200281 Sauce Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:12:25 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200281 I just the read the book and really became excited about this possibility...now, my heart is a little crushed. Sad times. To make a game reference, The Hobbit movies are turning into Duke Nukem Forever. Maybe they'll get made in another dimension. I just the read the book and really became excited about this possibility…now, my heart is a little crushed. Sad times.

To make a game reference, The Hobbit movies are turning into Duke Nukem Forever. Maybe they’ll get made in another dimension.

]]> By: Orange cinema http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200265 Orange cinema Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:55:24 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/11/tolkien-estate-sues-new-line-fate-of-hobbit-films-in-jeopardy/#comment-200265 no doubt hunter, what the fuck is going on over at new line?! if in fact they did try to skip out on giving some cash to tolkien's estate, then they deserve to face the fallout from all the disappointed people waiting for the hobbit, AND i hope the tolkien estate crushes them financially. they got some shady motherfuckers over at new line. no doubt hunter, what the fuck is going on over at new line?! if in fact they did try to skip out on giving some cash to tolkien’s estate, then they deserve to face the fallout from all the disappointed people waiting for the hobbit, AND i hope the tolkien estate crushes them financially. they got some shady motherfuckers over at new line.

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