Film Rights to First & Second Age

[Sauron the White]

Lalwende... I guess I am asking people here to stop thinking like Tolkien fans for a moment and to put on the guise of an attorney and think legally. Could not a case be made that it was Christopher Tolkien who - in your words - "used some sneaky way" of attempting to take back what his father had already sold?

I am not arguing against his publishing of THE SILMARALLION. I am only asking people to open their minds to a different understanding of the rights that were sold and how they could be utilized.

you also said this

Nor is there any guarantee that fantasy films will even be popular in a few years, they're already beginning to die back, that's the nature of fashion. Oh yes, and the impending Credit Crunch - not that many studios will be too keen on risky, expensive films if that hits.

Fantasy films in the style like LOTR never really were popular in the sense of westerns as a genre in the 30's and 40's or detective films or murder mysteries as a long time Hollywood staple. LOTR was the exception to the rule. And as far as funding, I have a funny feeling that a Tolkien movie helmed by the same people who gave us the first three would have little trouble in garnering the necessary funds to make and market them.