Author Kristin Thompson writes: There has been a development in the lawsuit the Tolkien Trust filed against New Line Cinema in February. It’s not clear what it means, but I offer some suggestions on The Frodo Franchise. New Details on Tolkien Trust vs New Line Cinema
Their movies are both part of a New Line retrospective put together by Rotten Tomatoes of their 25 favorite New Line offerings:
“New Line Cinema: Thanks for giving us a great horror icon, for helping subversive filmmakers bubble up to the mainstream, and for getting some beloved fantasy books the big-screen treatment they deserved. Today, Rotten Tomatoes celebrates four decades of independent existence (they’re now part of WB) by proffering our 25 studio favorites.”
So, in a contest between Aragorn and Freddie, guess who wins? Thanks to Anna for the link. Read More
From Variety.com: It’s the end of the line for most of New Line, with Time Warner cutting 450 jobs as part of its earlier decision to fold the studio into Warner Bros. The pinkslips, announced Monday afternoon, leave New Line with 40-50 employees. A Time Warner spokesman said about 40 New Line employees are being offered jobs within Warner Bros.
Notifications of the dismissals began Monday and will continue Tuesday. That decision ended New Line’s 40 years as an independent studio, with toppers Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne ankling. In mid-March, longtime production chief Emmerich was appointed to his new post at the scaled-down shingle. Two weeks ago, senior exec VP-chief operating officer Richard Brener agreed to stay on as Emmerich’s right-hand man, with a promotion to prexy of production. Other New Line production execs expected to stay include Sam Brown, Michael Disco and Michele Weiss. Thanks to diedye for the link. Read More
Last May, New Line Cinema threw a 40th-anniversary party in Cannes. Tied in with a promotional push for the company’s movie, The Golden Compass, it was a lavish affair. As guests consumed champagne, while admiring the ice sculptures, little did they guess this was more a last hurrah than a birthday bash. For within the last month it has been announced that New Line Cinema is to be drastically downsized and folded into the conglomerate’s studio outfit, Warner Brothers. Just four years ago, The Return of the King, the final chapter in New Line’s adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, took 11 Oscars, tying with the all-time record set by Ben Hur and equalled by Titanic. The film had already grossed US$1 billion ($1.26 billion) worldwide, only the second to do so after Titanic. That’s before you take into account the millions accumulated by the previous two films and the money created by merchandise. The bitter end of the New Line
Daily Variety reported that Sands would be leaving the company after many of his duties were usurped by the appointment of Mary Parent to head of MGMs worldwide motion picture group earlier this month. Read more here.
New Line’s Richard Brener is staying on as Toby Emmerich’s right-hand man and has been promoted to president of production. The move comes two weeks after Emmerich was appointed president and chief operating officer of the scaled-down mini-major. The 35-year-old Brener joined the company in 1995 as a temp and rose through the ranks to story editor and senior VP. He’s been serving as New Line’s No. 2 production exec after a promotion to senior exec VP-COO in early 2007. Emmerich has indicated that New Line will focus on creating niche films in the vein of “Wedding Crashers” and “Freddy vs. Jason” along with occasional tentpoles such as “The Hobbit.” Read More
From Variety.com: In her first creative hire since becoming head of MGM’s worldwide motion picture group, Mary Parent has brought in New Line Cinema executive Cale Boyter as exec veep of production.
“Boyter became available following last month’s decision by Time Warner chief Jeffrey Bewkes to remove New Line co-toppers Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, and reform New Line as a downsized mini-major that will make six to eight films per year with budgets under $50 million, along with “The Hobbit” and proposed sequels to “Wedding Crashers” and “Austin Powers.” …Though New Line vet Toby Emmerich signed on to run the new division under Warner Bros. aegis, New Line is expected to lose the majority of its 600 staff positions, and numerous creative executives have been taking meetings. It would not be surprising if others land at MGM.”
Has the floodgate opened on the creative talent of New Line? If yes, how does it affect production of “The Hobbit?” Thanks to Board Member Compa Mighty for the link
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Author Kristin Thompson writes: There has been a development in the lawsuit the Tolkien Trust filed against New Line Cinema in February. It’s not clear what it means, but I offer some suggestions on The Frodo Franchise. 
Daily Variety reported that Sands would be leaving the company after many of his duties were usurped by the appointment of Mary Parent to head of MGMs worldwide motion picture group earlier this month. 
From IMDB: At least 75 percent of New Line’s staff of 600 are likely to be fired in the coming months despite assurances by Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes on Friday that he wants to retain as many New Line employees as possible, Daily Variety reported today (Monday), citing an “emerging consensus.” The trade publication said that New Line is also expected to shut down its offices in New York and its headquarters in West Hollywood, moving remaining operations to the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. Speaking to New Line employees by satellite on Friday, Bewkes said that Co-Chairmen Bob Shaye and Michael Lynn are “still here,” but “for everyone’s sake, they need to step back from the process.”