J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate and publisher HarperCollins are suing New Line Cinema, claiming that they have not received a penny of royalties from the estimated $6 billion the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings films have grossed worldwide. In addition to damages, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order giving the Tolkien estate the right to terminate any rights New Line may have to make films based on other works by the author, including The Hobbit.
The Hobbit is tentatively slated to begin production next year, with releases planned for 2010 and 2011, and such a court order would place current plans for this film in jeopardy.
Okay, how on EARTH did New Line prouduce an entire trilogy without paying any royalties????? Facepalmery at its best. ::shakes head::