These things always seem to work themselves out (see: Fox vs Watchmen) but nonetheless it’s good news to hear that Warner Bros and the Tolkien estate have come to an understanding on a lawsuit that could have possibly delayed Guillermo Del Toro’s The Hobbit movies.
Christopher Tolkien, not a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies, had filed suit some years back against New Line, seeking $150 million in profits (New Line notoriously shortchanged everybody on that aspect). Part of that suit would have blocked The Hobbit from being made. Predictably, the suit was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum. “New Line may now proceed with its proposed films of ‘The Hobbit,'” Tolkien announced.
Of course it wasn’t like Guillermo was waiting; he’s been in New Zealand balls-deep in writing the script for the first film in the duology. I hope that this news puts a little extra spring in his step.