Christopher Tolkien Trying To Stop 'The Hobbit'
Filed under: Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, New Line, Warner Brothers, Celebrities and Controversy, Family Films, Newsstand, Peter Jackson, Remakes and Sequels
Just when you thought it was safe to get excited, a possible wrench has been thrown into The Hobbit works. According to London's Sunday Times, Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R., is attempting to stop the movie from being made altogether, calling for "one last crusade" in the long running court battle.Regrettably, the issue at large is still money. Tolkien asserts that the family is still owed £80 million from New Line Cinema, under the 1978 sale of the rights that promised them 7.5% of the profits. Of course, that studio is now defunct, and Warner Bros has no comment on the financial problems.
On June 6th, Tolkien plans to petition a California judge to back his claim to terminate the film rights.
I hope this doesn't happen. I can't really muster up any criticism of Tolkien, because I think everyone involved with Lord of the Rings was given the short end of the money stick. But on the other, why does it always have to be about money? If Tolkien's "skepticism" of Hollywood extended to a possessiveness of his father's work, and the way it was being handled, fine. But to crush it because of New Line's financial tricks is like succumbing to the Ring. (Yes, I went there. Sue me, I'm a nerd!) Surely, Tolkien's books have sold (and will continue to sell) enough to keep the entire family comfortable for a long time. Even the New Line money must have been decent. And think how many more copies of The Hobbit will sell after a movie. Think of how many people will (regrettably, perhaps) be introduced to the story for the first time?
We shall see what happens. I'm going to totally make you groan by wondering if the courage of men will fail come June 6th.
[via IESB.net]
_thumbnail.jpg)
Fan Made: Steampunk 'Return of the Jedi' Figures_thumbnail.jpg)
Exclusive: 'A Christmas Tale' Poster Premiere_thumbnail.jpg)
Cinematical's Fourth Annual Halloween Costume Contest is Coming!
Netflix Unleashes Another Batch of "Forgotten" Flicks
Geek Daily: Wolverine, 'Batman 3', 'Punisher' and 'Kick-Ass'
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg){kind=spacer}
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-26-2008 @ 12:22PM
Tigerlily said...
I would think that Warner Brothers has formed a new contract regarding royalties for the Hobbit. The Tolkien family should make a substantial amount if the LOTR was any indication, probably get back what they are owed and then some....
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 1:13PM
scottR said...
It's not really about money. The proceeds were for the Tolkien trust fund, which support several charities. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980703.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
I'm a big Tolkien fan, loved the books and then really appreciated the movies, but I would rather they not make the Hobbit films if they continue to rip off a charity like that.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 1:53PM
Al said...
"rip off a charity"???
Sure scottR, I was swindled into seeing LOTR thinking that I was donating money for charity! Right. Granted money is far more seductive than the Ring ever was, but it has little to do with the fans. Make the right payment structure for the Hobbit and let the courts handle LOTR issues.
5-26-2008 @ 7:45PM
scottR said...
I did not say you were donating money to charity. I said the company was ripping off a charity by refusing payment. If its not ripping off, then how would you describe it?
I'm not sure how its not related to fans. The estate is trying to block the release of a movie to fans. I'm just saying I agree with them. Nothing more. Nothing less.
5-26-2008 @ 10:17PM
Synonymous said...
Hey, if the filmmakers weren't "purely about money", then that groundless LotR prequel movie that's supposed to follow The Hobbit wouldn't have even been concocted. The Tolkien family winning an injunction means that the film franchise is precluded from spiraling into Star Wars-ish suckitude, so for art's sake, I hope they win.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 10:07AM
Jason Fisher said...
But on the other, why does it always have to be about money?
It's not about the money per se; it's about doing what's right. If there is a prior contractual obligation in place, it should be honored. New Line's no longer being in existence as such is immaterial; somebody inherited their assets and is planning to make the film(s), implying inheritance of and therefore obligation to honor those existing contractual terms.
Just because it's a lot of money owed to people who already have a lot of money doesn't make it right to withhold it. And why condemn the Tolkiens for wanting to collect when the people withholding the agreed funds have even more money than they do? So even if you want to promote an argument of greed, the studios are clearly still far worse. You're just letting them off the hook because they have something you want: new Tolkien movies. You yourself might be living comfortably, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't collect money owed to you, does it?
FWIW, I also agree with Synonymous. :)
Jason Fisher
http://lingwe.blogspot.com/
Reply
5-28-2008 @ 7:09AM
Severian said...
I agree that the Tolkien's should pursue this for two reasons. Firstly they need to protect the intellectual property rights - in their case they probably don't need the money to survive, but it creates a precedent that studios believe they can believe they can mess around other writers in the same way, many of whom might need the money.
Secondly as pointed out in an earlier comment, a lot of the profits are going towards charities.
It is about the money in a way, but not because the Tolkien's are being greedy.
Cheers
Severian
http://severian-fantasticworlds.blogspot.com
Reply
7-04-2008 @ 9:44AM
Billsey said...
If New Line no longer exists, then the contract with a non-existent entity should be a non-existent contract. Not having confirmed this "New Line is defunct" statement, I am at a bit of a disadvantage, but if the assets of New Line were indeed auctioned off in a bankruptcy court then it is quite likely the ASSETS and not the debts which were auctioned off. Such being the case, then those who bought the movie rights to Tolkien's works bought them from the bankruptcy court, and not from the Tolkien family. The Tolkien family should stop screaming after money, if indeed they are doing so, and embark solely upon doing good with what they have instead of tainting that work with the stench of greed. If JRR was indeed a Christian he would have also taught Chris to be a Christian, and he would believe these teachings: If someone demands your cloak, offer them also your tunic; and if a soldier demands that you walk with him one mile (i. e. demanding that you carry his burden for him), walk with him also a second mile. And it goes on from there. Not once does it tell the Christian to demand their "rights" from anyone. Ever.
Reply