No No No!!!

[ismenin]

No! I hope this doesn't delay The Hobbit! Will sob loud and long if it does.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1204995/Tolkien-heirs-sue-Hollywood-share-Lord-Rings-3bn.html

Bum!

Comments

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm! Wasn't Elijah asked about this during the CC when he was being interviewed by the TV show hosts but he seemed a bit vague about it all. Or have I got that wrong? I really don't know if it will delay filming but I seriously hope not. :(

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Me, too, my love. Me wants it, Preciousss! ;D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. I thought others had tried this before and couldn't break the contract in which Tolkien had already sold the rights. The fact that the descendants don't like the amount he received isn't going to change that contract, but that depends upon any loopholes the attorneys might find. This could be tied up in the courts for quite some time.

I wish I could say this won't delay The Hobbit, but it might. :(

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Tolkien sold the rights, kniowing very well that, with the technology of the time, the film could never be made. One can't say Chris Tolkien is averse to making money, either. He has printed nearly every word his father had scribbled on any piece of paper he found lying about. I think both paries are motivated by greed - but knowing the probs PJ had with New Line, it's them I blame most. One million or so out of all that money wouldn't hurt. :D xxx

[hobbitlove83.livejournal.com]

Awww, no, no, no indeed, darling Ru!!

I'm keeping all crossable body parts crossed!!!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Me, too! Even my eyes! Hugs xxx

[elanorgardner.livejournal.com]

You might want to read this from the One Ring newsboards, written by a lawyer who is also a big fan --

Potentially BIG News Regarding the Tolkien/New Line Lawsuit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Line has now filed a motion for summary adjudication of the plaintiff's cause of action seeking the right to terminate New Line's future rights to make the Hobbit films (or other Tolkien films). In other words, they are asking to have that claim be dismissed entirely.

New Line asserts three different argument to support this motion, all of which appear to me to have some merit (of course I've only read New Line's argument so far since they just filed the motion; I'll have to see what the plaintiffs' responses are). The first argument is that since the plaintiffs explicitly are only seeking termination of New Line's rights, while leaving the rest of the 1969 agreements intact, what they are seeking is a partial revocation of the contracts, and that is not allowed by law. The second argument is that what the plaintiffs are really seeking to do is to terminate New Line's agreement with third parties (Zaentz and Miramax), and that they do not have standing to that. The final argument is the one that I have been saying all along; that the attempt to terminate the rights is not ripe, because the agreements specifically state that the agreements cannot be subject to termination or revocation until a final determination has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction that a sufficiently significant breach has occurred, and a final determination would not occur until any appeals are finally decided.

I am cautiously optimistic that there is a good chance this motion will be granted, removing the potential obstacle to the Hobbit films, regardless of what happens at trial (if there is a trial). Of course, that optimism might be lessened once I read the plaintiff's arguments. The hearing is scheduled to be heard on September 15.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear. It rtemains to be seen what happens. I still have hopes!

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

I doubt that it will. The reason I think they are bringing this lawsuit now is because there will be pressure on the studios to resolve this case and pay the Tolkien's right away. The studios don't want it delayed either, I'm sure.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Nope. Time is money in whatever medium it is that is being delayed. I want Hobbitses. :D xxx

[rakshi.livejournal.com]

Tell you the truth... if they stiffed the Tolkien family, I hope they DO delay filming the Hobbit until this wrong is made right. But I wouldn't worry. I doubt this situation WILL delay it. They'll cough up what they owe Tolkien's heirs fast enough if their movie money is threatened. Too bad they don't pay them simply because it's the right thing to do. *sigh* Silly me, huh?

*hugs*

[itstonedme.livejournal.com]

Too bad they don't pay them simply because it's the right thing to do.

Absolutely agreed. And didn't he write The Hobbit for his children?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Too bad they don't pay them simply because it's the right thing to do. *sigh* Silly me, huh?

Not silly at all. I agree with you. A million or two wouldn't hurt them - NL - at all. I posted this on another comment....

...Tolkien sold the rights, knowing very well that, with the technology of the time, the film could never be made. One can't say Chris Tolkien is averse to making money, either. He has printed nearly every word his father had scribbled on any piece of paper he found lying about. I think both paries are motivated by greed - but knowing the probs PJ had with New Line, it's them I blame most. A million or so out of all that money wouldn't hurt. :D xxx

[bonnie-las.livejournal.com]

The long-running dispute has focused upon Tolkien's 1969 decision to sign over film rights to United Artists for £153,000.

Tolkein sold the rights years ago, so why is his family trying to jump on the band wagon? From what I undertand they wanted nothing to do with the movie, now, they want a cut of the profits?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I think Chris Tolkien is suffering from a bad case of sour grapes, but seeing the billions NL made out of LOTR it wouldn't hurt them to cough up a million or two, would it? Just to show good will. xxx

[bonnie-las.livejournal.com]

LOTR it wouldn't hurt them to cough up a million or two, would it? Just to show good will.

I know what you mean... but I am sure the Tolkein Estate reaped in a fortune with the sale of the books after the movies were made.

And also... do they not care about the fans of LOTR, who really would like to see The Hobbit made into a movie?

yeah, does sound like sour grapes.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I don't think CT cares two hoots about us fans - just the money.

And NL! If you remember that li'l Lij and Viggo practically had to go on strike to get the littler actors paid what they were promised afterwards. I thought it was shameful.

[bonnie-las.livejournal.com]

New Line do seem to be a tad prattish in all this.

Is it New Line who is producing The Hobbit?

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

I hope too it doesn't delay The Hobbit films. I'll be sobbing with you! :-(

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Sniff. We'll see! :D xxx