From The New York Times, September 8, 2009:
Harper Collins and the heirs to the author J.R.R. Tolkien reached a settlement with Warner Brothers in their suit against the studio over payments from films based on “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, according to statement from Warner, the publisher and the heirs today. The statement did not disclose terms of the settlement.
Nerd World has obtained the terms of the settlement:
Warner Bros. will pay the Tolkien heirs one Arkenstone a year for the next 20 years.
In the film of The Hobbit, Bilbo will be played by Zac Efron.
In the plot of The Hangover 2, the guys will wake up in Lothlórien with no idea how they got there, and are shocked to find a Smaug is in the bathroom.
A 13-episode order on The CW for a combination scripted-improv show called Beorn Your Enthusiasm.
Christopher Tolkien will be allowed to go back into his father’s manuscripts and find: A) Five more sequels to The Hobbit, B) Three more Harry Potter books, and C) A conclusive re-imagining of Superman.
Guillermo Del Toro will have to go on the Peter Jackson diet.
Roac the Raven will NOT talk with the voice of Michigan J. Frog.
All the gold under the Lonely Mountain, plus 10 percent of the merchandising for all Sleepytime Bombur dolls.