Trouble in the shire: Tolkien family sues movie makers for $80MILLION

Trouble in the shire: Tolkien family sues movie makers for $80MILLION over 'Hobbit' trilogy merchandizing

The heirs of late author J.R.R. Tolkien are suing the producers of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' movie trilogies over alleged exploitative merchandizing.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, comes a week before the premiere of the 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' in Wellington, New Zealand.

The first film in the trilogy hits theaters worldwide next month.

The estate of Tolkien is upset at what it calls 'morally questionable' digital marketing including an online slot machine, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236141/Tolkien-family-sues-The-Hobbit-movie-makers-80m.html#ixzz2E0n4b0V7