Following the out-of-court settlement between New Line and the Tolkien Trust (and Harper Collins) earlier this week, trustee Christopher Tolkien, son of the scribbler whose works started all this, said, “The Trustees acknowledge that New Line may now proceed with its proposed films of The Hobbit.”
The settlement was reported to be in excess of US$100 million. It’s a lot of money, but not that much as the claim was based on an agreement for 7.5% of gross receipts. The trilogy grossed US$3 billion worldwide and did the same again in dvd, broadcast sales and merchandising.
