More Tolkien on the big screen? This might not be what you had in mind, but… Remember Steve Hillard, the author of a controversial book ‘Mirkwood‘ which features JRR Tolkien as a fictional character? Well, after a series of legal wranglings, his lawsuit was settled with the Tolkien Estate, and it looks like he has decided to adapt ‘Mirkwood‘ for the screen.
Here’s the exclusive story from The Hollywood Reporter:
Author Steve Hillard has signed a deal with EMO Films to develop and secure financing for a film version of his novel Mirkwood, which centers around a fictional version of The Lord of the Rings authorJ.R.R. Tolkien.
Emo’s Joel Eisenberg and Timothy Owens will executive produce the project.
“The adaptation of Mirkwood will follow the template of the novel,” said Hillard, “but will delve considerably deeper into Tolkien’s little-known back story, such as his original plans to become a codebreaker in World War II up through the writing of his enduring works.”
[Read the Full Story]
The J.R.R. Tolkien estate has settled a dispute with author Stephen Hilliard over a forthcoming fictional book that features Tolkien as a character and includes a critical analysis of Tolkien’s books.
In February, Hilliard went to the U.S. District Court in Texas seeking a declaration that he had a First Amendment right to publish Mirkwood, A Novel About J.R.R. Tolkien against the estate’s claims that such a book would infringe upon Tolkien’s name and likeness. The parties have now agreed on a plan that would allow the book to come out without further litigation. More..
Beren writes: I received the following statement by the Tolkien Estate regarding the “Wheelbarrows at Dawn” cancellation:
“The J R R Tolkien Estate has been made aware of a statement by ADC Publications concerning its cancellation of its proposed publication “Wheelbarrows at Dawn” by Angela Gardner and Neil Holford.
ADC’s statement suggests that the publication has been cancelled as a result of the Tolkien Estate’s threats to take court action preventing the release of the book.
As this statement is highly misleading, the Tolkien Estate considers it important that the true facts be clarified for those concerned. Continue reading “Tolkien Estate Comments on Book Cancellation”
Melilot sends along word: Regarding the launch of the new book on Hilary Tolkien: It’s been canceled. Andrew Compton sent along a message to explain things – I thought you might want to know before too many people are getting their hopes up. It’s a great pity I think.
Andrew Compton writes:
“I am sorry to have to advise that despite the tremendous work and dedication to this project by Angela Gardner, Neil Holford, the Publishers, designers, artists, and financial backing by ADC Publications Ltd I have no choice but to cancel the publication of the book for legal reasons. Continue reading “New Hilary Tolkien Book Cancelled”
News from the Winnipeg Free Press on the Tolkien Trust’s donation to an inner-city clinic there. It will be able to fund holistic health initiatives over the next five years thanks to a donation from a charitable foundation set up in honour of the late author of the Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Trust will donate £60,000 (about $93,000 Cdn.) to the Winnipeg Interdisciplinary Student-Run Health (WISH) clinic. [Read More]
As was predicted last week, the legal rumblings between the Tolkien Estate and New Line have come to an end and the path is now clear for ‘The Hobbit’ film(s). Here’s the official press release:
The Tolkien Trust (a UK registered charity), New Line Cinema, and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. have resolved the lawsuit relating to the “Lord of the Rings” films.
The claim was filed in February of last year. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. and the trustees of the JRR Tolkien Estate were co-plaintiffs in the claim, which concerned plaintiffs’ participation interest in the “Lord of the Rings” films released between 2001 and 2003. The precise terms of the settlement are confidential.
Continue reading “Reuters: The Tolkien Trust, New Line Cinema and HarperCollins Settle ‘Lord of the Rings’ Lawsuit”
