Mud, it's been too long since I read the books. Now I want to read them again just to remember all the names... Damn You.
As for the Tolkien estate NLC issue. They don't want more money they want the money they were supposed to get. NLC didn't pay them anything. Now on top of that they want control over future projects, like the Hobbit. Now that may be for more money.
I want to see the movies made, del Toro and Jackson together should be an incredible combination. LotR's trilogy is incredible and Pan's was right there with it (think I'll put it on right now as a matter of fact, be back in a few hours).
T