Christopher Tolkien: kill HOBBIT film - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

skip spence · 05-25-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Tolkien Jr, described by his biographer as “cantankerous”

Cantankerous eh? I had to look that up you know...

Anyway, even though there surely will be enough for us to complain about in the movie, I'm apparently not old enough to help getting a wee bit exited about it. Let's hope the movie gets done on time and the Tolkien estate get what they deserve too. What is their legal claim btw? That NEW LINE says the movie made less money than it in actually did?

ArathornJax · 05-25-2008, 11:53 AM

I've followed what is happening online with the suit and I have to say that I agree with Kristin Thompson over at The Frodo Franchise that this article is "rubbish." The lawyers for New Line/Warner asked for a 30 day extension several weeks ago and the Estate did not balk probably because negotiations were progressing. Furthermore it makes little sense for Warner not to pay $80 to $100 million out to make $1.5 to $2 billion that the next to films will earn. Like it or not, The Hobbit and Film Two are going to be made, and the Estate will get the money owed to them (which they should). We can debate whether we want them to be made, but the stark reality is that they are going to be made.

Here is a link to The Frodo Franchise article: http://www.kristinthompson.net/blog/?p=271#more-271

Legate of Amon Lanc · 05-25-2008, 01:14 PM

I always knew good old young master Christopher is a nice person!

And I shouldn't have read the article in the first place. Aragorn? If that's true, I suggest building up a process against them. And the second film? Horrifying just to think of it. (If anyone feels offended, it's just my personal opinion, and seriously, a honest Tolkien fan can't stand back in such a case of blasphemy - it's immoral!)

Sauron the White · 05-25-2008, 01:51 PM

Kristin Thompson of THE FRODO FRANCHISE is not reporting that the Times article is "a tempest in a teapot" and its conclusions are wrong.

http://www.kristinthompson.net/blog/

I hope she is correct.

ArathornJax · 05-25-2008, 05:02 PM

Kristin IS reporting in her blog that this article on the times IS a tempest in a teapot. She writes:

"My reaction on reading it is that this is probably a tempest in a teapot, with the Times over-dramatizing the upcoming June 6 meeting in the lawsuit the Tolkien Trust brought against New Line. The author claims that Christopher Tolkien will use the occasion to try and halt the production of The Hobbit. I don’t buy it. There’s absolutely nothing new . . . "

Just wanting to clarify what her words were and I'm sure that Sauron the White met this in their post.

William Cloud Hicklin · 05-25-2008, 10:23 PM

Presumably most any Tolkienista could see that this article is so full of errors that its credibility is close to nil.

Anyway, this "one last crusade" stuff is so completely unlike Christopher, in style and sentiment, in personality and disposition, that I can easily dismiss this as one more instance of the complete fabrications the Brit press and in particular The Times don't scruple to print about him.

They are determined to create this artificial villain, this ogre, this obsessed, bitter crank who paces the floors all night muttering and plotting how to destroy those horrible movies....

When in fact the truth is about as opposite as one can imagine: Christopher ignores them. Doesn't think about them. Has been largely successful in ignoring them for ten years now. He would not have assented to this lawsuit (being personally unconcerned with riches) but for the legal duty he carries as executor and trustee: he's responsible for many, many people's financial interests besides his own.

It's bilge, I tell you: bilge. Another non-story from a Fleet Street paparazzo.

davem · 05-26-2008, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

I can easily dismiss this as one more instance of the complete fabrications the Brit press and in particular The Times don't scruple to print about him.

Which I don't get - The Times is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who also owns Harper Collins (Tolkien's UK publisher). That simple fact alone should put paid to any idea that there is a real desire on the part of the plaintiffs to get the Hobbit movies banned - the case is being brought by the Estate & Harper Collins - & anyone who thinks Mr Murdoch is going to pass on the income from increased sales of TH, not to mention the numerous tie-in volumes, simply doesn't understand the man at all. What RM wants (& will get) is his share of the LotR movie profits & then to get on negotiating all those luvverly Hobbit licensing deals.

In short, I absolutely guarantee that Rupert will ensure the case will be sorted to his er.. the Estate's satisfaction, that the movies will be made & that come Christmas 2011 the shops will be filled with more Hobbit related tat than a dragon could comfortably curl up on. Anyone currently suffering nightmares that they won't be able to get their hands on a $50 plush talking Smaug or Arkenstone nightlight can now turn over & sleep peacfully...

05-25-2008, 11:53 AM	#2
ArathornJax Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Out West near a Big Salty Lake Posts: 76	Bad Journalism I've followed what is happening online with the suit and I have to say that I agree with Kristin Thompson over at The Frodo Franchise that this article is "rubbish." The lawyers for New Line/Warner asked for a 30 day extension several weeks ago and the Estate did not balk probably because negotiations were progressing. Furthermore it makes little sense for Warner not to pay $80 to $100 million out to make $1.5 to $2 billion that the next to films will earn. Like it or not, The Hobbit and Film Two are going to be made, and the Estate will get the money owed to them (which they should). We can debate whether we want them to be made, but the stark reality is that they are going to be made. Here is a link to The Frodo Franchise article: http://www.kristinthompson.net/blog/?p=271#more-271 __________________ "At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts." JRR Tolkien in 6 October 1940 letter to Michael Tolkien

05-25-2008, 01:14 PM	#3
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	I always knew good old young master Christopher is a nice person! And I shouldn't have read the article in the first place. Aragorn? If that's true, I suggest building up a process against them. And the second film? Horrifying just to think of it. (If anyone feels offended, it's just my personal opinion, and seriously, a honest Tolkien fan can't stand back in such a case of blasphemy - it's immoral!) __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

05-25-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
ArathornJax Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Out West near a Big Salty Lake Posts: 76	Clarification Kristin IS reporting in her blog that this article on the times IS a tempest in a teapot. She writes: "My reaction on reading it is that this is probably a tempest in a teapot, with the Times over-dramatizing the upcoming June 6 meeting in the lawsuit the Tolkien Trust brought against New Line. The author claims that Christopher Tolkien will use the occasion to try and halt the production of The Hobbit. I don’t buy it. There’s absolutely nothing new . . . " Just wanting to clarify what her words were and I'm sure that Sauron the White met this in their post. __________________ "At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts." JRR Tolkien in 6 October 1940 letter to Michael Tolkien

05-25-2008, 10:23 PM	#6
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Presumably most any Tolkienista could see that this article is so full of errors that its credibility is close to nil. Anyway, this "one last crusade" stuff is so completely unlike Christopher, in style and sentiment, in personality and disposition, that I can easily dismiss this as one more instance of the complete fabrications the Brit press and in particular The Times don't scruple to print about him. They are determined to create this artificial villain, this ogre, this obsessed, bitter crank who paces the floors all night muttering and plotting how to destroy those horrible movies.... When in fact the truth is about as opposite as one can imagine: Christopher ignores them. Doesn't think about them. Has been largely successful in ignoring them for ten years now. He would not have assented to this lawsuit (being personally unconcerned with riches) but for the legal duty he carries as executor and trustee: he's responsible for many, many people's financial interests besides his own. It's bilge, I tell you: bilge. Another non-story from a Fleet Street paparazzo. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

05-25-2008, 01:51 PM	#4
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Kristin Thompson of THE FRODO FRANCHISE is not reporting that the Times article is "a tempest in a teapot" and its conclusions are wrong. http://www.kristinthompson.net/blog/ I hope she is correct.