The fact that Warner Bros. and the Tolkien estate are working together to shop the show is a sign the once contentious relationship between the two has relaxed into something more amicable. Earlier this year, the estate and publisher HarperCollins settled a rights lawsuit against Warner Bros., New Line, and Saul Zaentz Co. (see “$80 Million Lawsuit Over Tolkien Rights Settled”). Warners had countersued (see “Warners Fires Back at Tolkien Estate”), as did Zaentz (see “Zaentz Countersues Tolkien Estate”). The countersuits were also included in the undisclosed agreement.
Amazon has shifted into high gear on developing genre entertainment. Over the summer, the studio snagged The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and his Skybound imprint for a two-year deal (see “Robert Kirkman Leaves AMC”).