[William Cloud Hicklin]

Yes, this is an old thread- but it still comes up on Google searches, as do all the erroneous press reports (lazy journalists!) Thus this attempt to set the record straight.

Fact No. 1: The Tolkien Estate has absolutely no say in the film rights to The Hobbit, since JRRT sold them in his lifetime. The legal fight over the rights is between two Hollywood studios, New Line and MGM/UA, who each own part of the rights.

Fact No. 2: The Tolkien Estate did not pull the plug on a LOTR museum in New Zealand. Christopher Tolkien has been unjustly called every name in the book for something he never did. Unfortunately Peter Jackson misspoke, or a reporter misheard: the museum was blocked not by the Tolkien Estate, but by Tolkien Enterprises, which is owned by Hollywood producer Saul Zaentz and has nothing whatsoever to do with the Tolkien family.