May 26, 2008 by B. Alan Orange

Tolkien Clan Plans Halt of The Hobbit

Christopher Tolkien, son of the late JRR Tolkien, wants Guilermo Del Toro to halt production on his planned prequels The Hobbit and The Hobbit Sequel. According to Times Online, Christopher, who is 83 years old, is asking for "one last crusade" in a long running court battle against the producers of the New Line The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

Tolkien's claim is that he is owed more than $80 million by New Line Cinemas from a deal that was signed in 1969. At that time, Christopher reluctantly sold the rights to his father's work to pay off a looming tax bill. The news of Tolkien's plans to thwart production on The Hobbit comes on the same day that both Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis will confirm their return to the franchise.

On June 6th, Christopher Tolkien will ask a Californian judge to back his claim that he can "terminate" film rights to The Hobbit.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters December 14th, 2012 and stars Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.


Sources: Times Online

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Comments (43)

  1. saki123

    one way or another,lets just get this damn thing over with and move on

    4 years agoby @saki123Flag

  2. Saquin Turok 'X'

    I bet nearer the time you'll be getting excited, but it is a long time to wait. If Chris Tolkkien gets his way, it won't be made at all, unless NLC cough up the dough. And Smaug would be great to see.

    4 years agoby @teesterxFlag

  3. saki123

    although i would be interesting so see smaug

    4 years agoby @saki123Flag

  4. saki123

    well thats a relief,then i only need to watch the hobbit then cause really i could care less what happens in between the two stories,abd because this whole thing is taking so long i could also care less wither the hobbit gets made either

    4 years agoby @saki123Flag

  5. Saquin Turok 'X'

    And The Hobbit is only one movie Saki. The second, even though titled The Hobbit Sequel, isn't exactly a sequel. It's more a continuation of the storyline of Middle earth, bridging the 80 year time gap between The Hobbit and LOTR. The enemy is a necromancer, and he's actually Sauron. Shame if Chris Tolkkien wins in this respect. We won't ever see it.

    4 years agoby @teesterxFlag

  6. The Narrator: The Better Man

    I agree. with Vampire2000. Not a good idea saki123. I think New Line should pay the man. Just as they tried to rip off Peter Jackson. This movie is taking 4eve dam it! I want it already.

    4 years agoby @narratorFlag

  7. Vamp

    Agreeing with PypeBomb, not a good thing. . . . .

    4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag

  8. saki123

    and secondly the hobbit was only one book! why the hell do you need to make into 2 movies,if that's the case then i agree with pypebomb,shut the damn thing down.

    4 years agoby @saki123Flag

  9. saki123

    you know what,if i knew that the movie was going to do well in the b.o, i would make up some bull sh*t claim too just to get money out of it.the only reason he would do this is because he doesnt want to die a poor old man.

    4 years agoby @saki123Flag

  10. Vamp

    This better come out, I second sirmetro's notion!

    4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag

  11. sirmetro

    listen to the f*cked up pypebomb.
    LETS VOTE TO GET PYPEBOMB OFF MOVIEWEB.
    ...just me thinking aloud...

    4 years agoby @sirmetroFlag

  12. PypeBomb

    I hope the clan shuts the whole f*cking movie down forever...it's gonna suck c*ck anyways.

    4 years agoby @pypebombFlag

  13. VooDoo77

    If they signed a deal stating his claim than pay the man.It's not like they arn't going to make twice that in sales maybe triple!My point is these movie companies all make there money.Give the old fart his IF!the deal was as said.Anyway who cares!Batmans about to come out soon!

    4 years agoby @deathstardestroyerFlag

  14. MaViNx

    Who the f*ck cares if he needs the money, New Line needs to get this sh*t done if they wanna make 100s of millions with this movie.

    4 years agoby @mavinxFlag

  15. PUNISHER

    What the hell does he need the money for? He'll probably be dead within ten years, not really enough time to enjoy sh*t. 83 yrs old, hes just a bitter old man with nothing better to do. Like the old man that sits on his lawn all day to make sure no one steps on it, or complains that the neighbors trash cans have been out too long. Somebody get him a puzzle already, lets get on with the movies.

    4 years agoby @cerealkillerFlag

  16. VooDoo77

    Tolkien needs that Money!He's got a sweet ass Easy go picked out!Easy come,Easy Go!

    4 years agoby @deathstardestroyerFlag

  17. Phatlightning

    I would "ice" father time for 80 dollars. Yea, fuel is that bad.

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  18. HAPPYJACK

    OH GOD THIS IS F*CKIN GAY!!! JUST PAY HIM NEW LINE, F*CK!!

    4 years agoby @happyjackFlag

  19. sirmetro

    I bet the judge has kids who are waiting for this film.
    NLC shouldn't waste $80mil on a dying man.Why not just hire a hitman for just $500,000 and ice the old bustard.

    4 years agoby @sirmetroFlag

  20. Saquin Turok 'X'

    We won't see The Hobbit for 3 1/2 years anyway, so Chris Tolkkien will be doing good to still be going. But it was his dad that wrote the book anyway, not him. Bet his dad would've loved the world to see the film version of The Hobbit. Still, NLC are hardly struggling financially. They should pay him to shut up.

    4 years agoby @teesterxFlag

  21. Button

    Why didn't Tolkien Junior get this sorted earlier and why attempt to send New Line to court just as the Hobbit is about to go ahead? He obviously wants an excuse to boycott the next movies and ruin it for the rest of us. Greedy bastard!

    4 years agoby @buttonFlag

  22. GladWrap

    I agree with Tolkien, del Toro should wait a little longer, Tolkien will be dead soon at 83-years-old and then nobody will be in del Toro's way lol

    4 years agoby @gladwrapFlag

  23. CelluloidDreams

    It all comes down to money!!!

    The questions is why New Line Cinema was "NOT" aware of deal that was signed in 1969!?!? Isn't that what lawyers are for!?!?

    4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  24. MaViNx

    F*ck the studio, pay him and STFU if you wanna make the movie.

    4 years agoby @mavinxFlag

  25. Shadow Of The Day

    WOW, im shocked now christopher tolkien wants money and thats how he respect his father work.Good luck to you christopher tolkien for distroying your father name and his work.

    4 years agoby @asifFlag

  26. Elessar26

    stab this old man!!

    4 years agoby @elessar26Flag

  27. RingWraither

    I hope the f*cking judge is LOTR fan and dismisses all of his bullsh*t!!

    4 years agoby @ringwraitherFlag

  28. CelluloidDreams

    WOW...how much more money does these people want!!!!

    4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  29. LEO: Lord Epsilon Omega

    Yeah all he can do is mooch off of daddy's money and then doesn't do anything productive himself. Good god, he's like the first Paris Hilton. LOLOLOLOLOLOL

    4 years agoby @epsalonFlag

  30. Bink

    yea, f*ck this dude.

    he has to know how big of a fan base these books and movies have and to do this is a really big f*ck you to us. I hope his ass gets sued too. Im sorry JRR's son is such a dbag.

    4 years agoby @justbink07Flag

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