New Line’s Legal Troubles Far From Over
After New Line and Peter Jackson kissed and made up the studio figured their legal troubles over “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was finally over. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
It now appears that the Tolkien Trust, the English charity that overseas the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien, and book publisher HarperCollins have brought a $150 million lawsuit against New Line Cinema. The suit makes the claim that the trust did not receive any of its gross profit payments for the three films based on Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings. The law suit was filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to Variety.
The suit also seeks punitive damages, and a legal declaration from the bench that the plaintiffs can terminate any further rights New Line may have to the Tolkien works under the agreements — including “The Hobbit.” Now we understand what director Guillermo del Toro was referring to in his cryptic message stating that there may or may not be a feature film made of “The Hobbit.” We made known del Toro’s statement about his possibility, or lack thereof, of directing this next Tolkien prequel.
New Line has declined to comment on the suit at this time.
Interesting sidenote regarding terminating further rights. However, MGM now owns the film rights, because New Line had a limited option on the movies. Remember back in January when the flap started with New Line not wanting Peter Jackson back in on the Tolkien properties? If you were listening to my show you do!
Anyhow, the rights now sit with MGM, so terminating anything with New Line is a moot point. Besides, Saul Zaentz Company is the custodian of that property, not the estate. The estate may well have a legitimate claim, after all New Line also shortchanged Wingnut films (Jackson, et al), so no surprise there. In my opinion, since the suit is in regard to New Line, MGM and Saul Zaentz Company won’t be affected because the Judge would then be stepping outside the grounds of the suit, and in effect force a breach of contract between the Estate and Saul Zaentz Company, who orignally bought the rights.
Dig?
It would appear that Hollywood “creative accounting” strikes again. After all, just like the B5 DVD’s, the movies are still in the red, right?
Sorry, but I didn’t understand much of the legal jargon.
I just have one question, does this open the dorr for PJ to do the hobbit?
Jackson has already said he is not directing The Hobbit, but would produce, likely with Sam Raimi as director. I believe the project has a green light from MGM, and has had that green light since the option expired for New Line.