[Gorwingel]

Gosh! This is the first time I have ever read that entire article, and I have never noticed that bottom part. I hope though that New Line never thinks of doing that, even though I could see them doing it.

I think actually that they could possibly do it because I think they own the actual film rights to the characters. And I think if you own those that you could probably go ahead with making your own stories without the blessing of the Tolkien estate.

But I highly doubt they would do that. New Line is, I think, in a way trying to set themselves up as a major studio, with Oscar caliber films (which they have never had before, LOTR:FOTR was their first Best Picture nominee), and Oscar caliber studios would just not make stupid prequels
I know though that they are coming out with the Mask sequel and they did come out with the Dumb and Dumber sequel, but LOTR is different. Making a "made up" sequel or prequel would be like trying to make a sequel to Titanic. It would just not make sense. And I could even see Peter Jackson speaking out about it (because I doubt that they would be able to get him to direct it, with him being such a fan of the books and all. And yes he is a fan).