Beyond the Tolkien Estate - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mister Underhill*** · 01-23-2005, 10:21 PM

In regards to who's getting, or has gotten, what money -- the sale of movie rights typically involves the author getting a percentage of profits realized from an adaptation. I'd be surprised if the Estate isn't owed some slice of the movie profits. Balanced against this, of course, is Hollywood's infamously creative accounting, which can show that movies even as insanely profitable as the LotR cycle has been are still in the red...

Mithalwen · 01-25-2005, 02:00 PM

No SpM I didn't think you would.......

but isn't there a circle of hell ... I mean Minas Tirith... reserved for lawyers?

I am fairly sure that the estate gets nothing from the films - the rights went a long time ago. However I would be interested to know what the deal was with the film tie in edition ...........

The identity stuff is interesting and people are clearly trying to test limits like Victoria Beckham v. Peterborough United and the word "Posh"...

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-25-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

but isn't there a circle of hell ... reserved for lawyers?

Indeed there is. A most lucrative one. I believe that there is a lot of filthy lucre to be made in false damnation suits.

Mithalwen · 01-25-2005, 02:36 PM

Oh good ..I will pass that information on to my cousin who seems certain to reverse the family tradition of specialising in non-lucrative areas of the law ......

***Mister Underhill*** · 01-25-2005, 06:34 PM

Quote:

I am fairly sure that the estate gets nothing from the films - the rights went a long time ago.

Who can say for sure? That is, unless we eventually see a lawsuit from the Estate similar to the one Zaentz brought. Anyway, according to Forbes.com, the Estate does get a cut.

It does make you wonder how Tolkien would feel about legions of lawyers haggling over the cash generated by his creation.

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-25-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Anyway, according to Forbes.com, the Estate does get a cut.

It is quite possible that the sale of the rights was structured so as to pay a reduced lump sum for the rights together with a proportion of their future earnings. I doubt that the proportion would be large, but it could still amount to a tidy little earner given the amount that the films, not to mention the associated merchandise, have generated.

But ownership would have passed to the purchaser of the rights so, unless there was some sort of right of veto built into the deal (which I doubt), the Estate will have no say over how they are used.

Quote:

It does make you wonder how Tolkien would feel about legions of lawyers haggling over the cash generated by his creation.

Although (to stick up for my profession for a moment

) those instructing the lawyers must take their fair share of the blame.

Mithalwen · 01-26-2005, 12:03 PM

If I remember rightly the film rights were sold in the 60's when percentage cuts were not really done. For example the actors who played the children in 'The Sound of Music', have got nothing from the movies beyond the original performance fees. I believe the estate has neither stake in nor say over the films - which is why it distanced itself from them. However Harper Collins as publishers of both the original works and the film spin offs has a foot in both camps or a conflict of interests depending on your perspective......

'Although (to stick up for my profession for a moment ) those instructing the lawyers must take their fair share of the blame.' SpM

LOL but only following orders is a rather dubious defence..........

01-25-2005, 02:00 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	No SpM I didn't think you would....... but isn't there a circle of hell ... I mean Minas Tirith... reserved for lawyers? I am fairly sure that the estate gets nothing from the films - the rights went a long time ago. However I would be interested to know what the deal was with the film tie in edition ........... The identity stuff is interesting and people are clearly trying to test limits like Victoria Beckham v. Peterborough United and the word "Posh"... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-25-2005, 02:36 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Oh good ..I will pass that information on to my cousin who seems certain to reverse the family tradition of specialising in non-lucrative areas of the law ...... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-26-2005, 12:03 PM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	If I remember rightly the film rights were sold in the 60's when percentage cuts were not really done. For example the actors who played the children in 'The Sound of Music', have got nothing from the movies beyond the original performance fees. I believe the estate has neither stake in nor say over the films - which is why it distanced itself from them. However Harper Collins as publishers of both the original works and the film spin offs has a foot in both camps or a conflict of interests depending on your perspective...... 'Although (to stick up for my profession for a moment ) those instructing the lawyers must take their fair share of the blame.' SpM LOL but only following orders is a rather dubious defence.......... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

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01-23-2005, 10:21 PM	#1
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	In regards to who's getting, or has gotten, what money -- the sale of movie rights typically involves the author getting a percentage of profits realized from an adaptation. I'd be surprised if the Estate isn't owed some slice of the movie profits. Balanced against this, of course, is Hollywood's infamously creative accounting, which can show that movies even as insanely profitable as the LotR cycle has been are still in the red...