Speculation is not what I would consider to be substantive evidence. All the substantive evidence points towards it being Peter's idea, and nothing of what you presented is good enough grounds to question his integrity, especially since it's something he's pulled again since with his Beatles documentary.

The Dol Guldur scenes you dismiss as filler? Peter had talked about wanting to film those since 2003. Legolas? Jackson mentions he could have a role in the films during an interview from late 2006. As I said the production is very well-documented and we can trace how the idea came to pass and why.

Non-disparagement provisions in production contracts typically define unacceptable behaviors and statements quite specifically. You will often find these clauses prohibiting any party from making negative or critical public statements about the project, direction, cast, or crew. Whether through interviews, social media, or informal public comments, the goal is to prevent harm to reputations that could affect both current and future projects. By outlining expectations in advance, you reduce the chance of unintentional breaches and minimize ambiguity in high-pressure environments.

Contract language can vary but often targets direct and indirect remarks that may damage the partnership or public perception.

You are aware that Guillermo was filming PETER's script, yes?

Yes, Guillermo del Toro was originally hired to direct The Hobbit films and spent years in pre-production collaborating on a script with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Del Toro's version was set to be a two-film adaptation, designed to be darker and more fairy-tale-like, but he left the project in 2010 due to prolonged production delays caused by MGM's financial troubles, after which Jackson took over as director.