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News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net
Jan 3 2013, 8:18pm
Views: 684
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Rumour: Universal plans Middle-earth theme park?
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Can't Post
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 Unconfirmed rumours are circulating that Universal is talking with Tolkien Estate about creating a Middle-earth theme park. The rumours emerged on New Year's day on the Orlando United forum where a user reported claims that Universal Studios asked Warner Bros. to raise the topic with Tolkien Estate. At this point, it is unclear whether the user has insider knowledge, or is simply reporting what others have said.
From the source post:
"...here is how I heard that it played out. Universal asked Warner Bros. to approach the Tolkien family since the Tolkien's trust WB with the success of the LOTR series. WB described how Universal was willing to work with JK Rowling and how the 2 of them (WB and JK) held Universal's feet to the fire to uphold Rowling's vision of the IP. And I believe that the Tolkien's may have actually talked to JK Rowling. This was before Universal said a word to the Tolkien's. So after WB stoked the fire, Universal entered the picture with an impressive plan.
As of now there is a lot of hammering out to go, but Universal has gotten a lot farther than Disney ever did."
Tolkien aficionados would recall, of course, that the professor had a notoriously low estimation of the creative works of Walt Disney. Letter #13 in Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien makes his position clear:
"It might be advisable [..] to let the Americans do what seems good to them -- as long as it was possible [..] to veto anything from or influenced by the Disney studios (for all whose works I have a heartfelt loathing)."
That's not to say that Universal would fare any better with Tolkien Estate in any quest to create a Middle-earth theme park. The Estate is well-known to be wary of merchandising, and is currently engaged in a legal stoush with Warner Bros. and Saul Zaentz, alleging that the companies are merchandising beyond what was contractually agreed upon in the 1969 rights deal.
Micechat, a site that specialises in theme park news, claims Universal "is very close to acquiring the rights to develop and produce attractions based on the successful Lord of the Rings franchise of films". So we might see whether there's anything to this rumour quite soon.
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Rumour: Universal plans Middle-earth theme park?
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News from Bree
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Jan 3 2013, 8:18pm
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oh dear
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imin
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Jan 4 2013, 3:12am
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Wasn't this part of the plan announced with the green light in 2010? //
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SirDennisC
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Jan 4 2013, 4:09am
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Guess I'd have to go
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Kimtc
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Jan 4 2013, 5:34am
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If it does get the go ahead ...
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DanielLB
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Jan 4 2013, 8:20am
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Non-stop rain would kind-of ruin the fun of an out-door amusement park. :P :P //
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Captain Salt
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Jan 4 2013, 8:31pm
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Why would anyone be against it?
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Growlithe the Grey
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Jan 4 2013, 11:56am
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Exactly
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LordotRings93
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Jan 4 2013, 6:25pm
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They did a great job with Harry Potter, by all accounts.//
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L. Ron Halfelven
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Jan 4 2013, 8:24pm
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Because we're supposed to say that to everything here in webby-world. //
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Captain Salt
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Jan 4 2013, 8:33pm
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I doubt the estate would allow it //
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Welsh hero
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Jan 4 2013, 12:38pm
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the Earth is developing a wobble in its orbit
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acheron
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Jan 4 2013, 3:06pm
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Awwww, the Rhosgobel Bunny Ride for the wee ones :-) //
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pandoraziki
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Jan 4 2013, 6:07pm
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Doubt this would get the go ahead from the Estate...
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the_argonath
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Jan 4 2013, 7:41pm
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How cool is that! However, I don't get how the PJ films are an afront to JRR's writings, but THIS is not at all a mainstream money grab?
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Captain Salt
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Jan 4 2013, 8:36pm
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Christopher isn't signing away anything. //
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geordie
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Jan 4 2013, 8:45pm
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In my opinion, the only way it is true is if it is Zaentz, not the Estate
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
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Jan 5 2013, 3:38pm
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Thanks - that's what I thought, too.//
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geordie
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Jan 6 2013, 2:36pm
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That's a big if
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squire
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Jan 5 2013, 12:13am
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According to Voronwe -
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SirDennisC
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Jan 5 2013, 12:31am
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Insults have been edited and two sub-threads deleted
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Altaira
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Jan 6 2013, 7:34pm
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Thanks :-) //
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geordie
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Jan 6 2013, 7:50pm
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Thanks! //
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Captain Salt
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Jan 7 2013, 2:14am
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It could actually be pretty cool...
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belfalas
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Jan 4 2013, 8:54pm
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Less themepark more "location"
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moreorless
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Jan 5 2013, 12:56pm
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Like the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
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DanielLB
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Jan 5 2013, 1:53pm
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Agreed
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Ardamírë
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Jan 5 2013, 5:30pm
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Well... it figures...
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grammaboodawg
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Jan 5 2013, 2:01am
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