Entertainment Times online reports that 83 year old Christopher Tolkien is calling for “one last crusade” against Warner Bros who he says owes him more than $150 million.
In a 1969 deal made to settle family tax debts, Christopher signed away the film rights to his father’s works to New Line Cinema in exchange for a 7.5% share of the take. New Line had reported a $3 billion worldwide gross for the trilogy but in February of this year New Line was absorbed by its parent company Time Warner due to a string of failed releases capped by the stunning domestic losses from The Golden Compass. Warner Bros has refused to comment.
The 83 year old Tolkien is scheduled to appear in court on June 6, and will be asking to terminate all film rights to The Hobbit. June 6 is the same day that Sir Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are expected to announce their return to the franchise.
The Hobbit set to be released in 2010.
Sources:
Digital Spy
Box Office Mojo
Stuff.co.nz
411 mania
Entertainment Times Online
/Film
Wikipedia