It is that time again – time for Ringer Diedye’s Flashback feature on TheOneRing.net! This week’s flashback details the events that took place in the Tolkien universe between August 23rd and August 30th. This is a weekly feature that Diedye posts in the forum, so if there is ever a time we don’t post it on the homepage of TORn, make sure to check the Main board in our forums. Click on the link below to transported in time!
Continue reading “Tolkien Flashback August 23rd-30th”
Category: Studios
From IMDB: MGM Tuesday denied published speculation that it had retained Goldman Sachs to explore a possible sale. In a statement, the studio couched its denial in language that appeared to some to fortify the rumors, saying that while it had indeed retained Goldman Sachs it was doing so “to explore enhancements to MGM’s long-term capital structure.” At the same time, it insisted that its present owners, “are pleased with the company’s current momentum and are committed to the future growth of the studio.” But analysts were not so sure about the company’s current ability to acquire financing for its production slate given the sluggish economy and suggested that the rumors about a possible sale will only make the studio’s efforts to raise cash even more difficult. Nevertheless, other analysts pointed out that MGM — like most other studios — had already reduced its production schedule after going full bore earlier in the year in anticipation of a possible actors’ strike.
TORn has been following the developments of the infamous Tolkien lawsuit for a long time. For those of you who’d like to get caught up in one fell swoop, Frodo Franchise author Kristin Thompson has posted an in-depth blog entry on exactly what is going on:
At last I’ve had a chance to go through the various documents that have piled up this summer in the lawsuit by the Tolkien Trust against New Line Cinema. I first summarized the suit on February 18 and followed that up on April 21. Here I’ll try to lay out the highlights of what has happened since then, month by month. Earlier this year I was hopeful that we would see a settlement in the case this summer, but that was obviously overly optimistic.
[Read On]
‘Frodo Franchise‘ author, Kristin Thompson, points us to Variety.com today with further official word that our favorite scribes have all signed on the dotted line, so to speak:
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have officially signed on to collaborate on “The Hobbit” and its sequel with director Guillermo del Toro. The announcement, from exec producers Jackson and Walsh and New Line president Toby Emmerich, came four months after del Toro confirmed he had signed on to direct both pics.
Read the full article at Variety.com and strap on your seatbelts – the funs is just getting started! [Variety.com]
Businesswire.com reports: Greenberg Glusker announces that entertainment attorneys Bert Fields and Bonnie E. Eskenazi were included on The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers list– its annual report of the 100 most influential attorneys in the entertainment industry. One of just a handful of women named to the Power Lawyers list, Ms. Eskenazi regularly plays a leading role in resolving high-profile and landmark entertainment disputes. Currently, Ms. Eskenazi represents the Estate of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, in a $150 million profit participation action against New Line Cinema.
Voronwe the Faithful – attorney, forum member and resident advisor on the Tolkien vs. New Line lawsuit reports:
“As I predicted, New Line has filed a new demurrer to the First Amended Complaint, challenging the revamped Fraud cause of action, along with a Motion to Strike punitive damages. No hearing date yet, but I’m sure that it will be soon.”
Not up to date on the demurrers and complaints? You can find Voronwe’s previous update on the latest Tolkien Family move here and/or check out the great article Clearing up Misconceptions Regarding the Tolkien vs. New Line Lawsuit
he wrote for us in June.