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History

Over the many decades since publication, J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpieces The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, have been adapted from the pages of his novels to the realm of cinema, merchandise, live stage and gaming universes. Learn about the pivotal role played by The Saul Zaentz Company in securing the rights, and bringing Middle-earth to life on the big screen, culminating in Peter Jackson's acclaimed film adaptations. The intricate tale of ownership and stewardship of Middle-earth's beloved saga is detailed up to the present day with the recent acquisition by the Embracer Group, marking a new era for Middle-earth and its massive fan base; one of the most cherished literary franchises of all time. Exciting new ventures and innovations inspired by these epic tales are on the horizon.

About Middle-earth Enterprises

Middle-earth is the definitive, deepest, richest and most beloved fantasy world of our time. As its stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new, and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP and brand, forever. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those providing highest quality products in accordance with best green business and sustainability practices, including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a commitment to protect our earth, its wondrous beauty and the viability of every living creature. Middle-earth Enterprises was acquired by the Embracer Group in 2022, and has been producing and licensing films, merchandise, electronic games, services, and live events and stage productions, based upon The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, for half a century.

1937

J.R.R.Tolkien publishes The Hobbit

1954

J.R.R. Tolkien publishes The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers

1955

J.R.R. Tolkien publishes The Return of the King

1969

United Artists acquires the film, television, stage, and merchandising rights to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from author J.R.R. Tolkien, who retains book publishing rights.

1973

Professor Tolkien dies 2 September

1976

The Saul Zaentz Production Company acquires the rights to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books from United Artists

1977

The Saul Zaentz Production Company forms d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises, renamed Middle-earth Enterprises in 2010

1978

United Artists releases the animated film The Lord of the Rings, directed by Ralph Bakshi, produced by Saul Zaentz, in November

1997

The Saul Zaentz Company options The Lord of the Rings film rights to Miramax Films.

1998

New Line Cinema picks up The Lord of the Rings film rights' option from Miramax Films

2001

New Line Cinema releases The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring co-produced and directed by Peter Jackson, in December

2002

New Line Cinema releases The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, in December

2003

New Line Cinema releases The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, in December

2004

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wins 11 Oscars at the 76th Academy Awards.
  • EA releases The Battle for Middle-earth, a real time strategy game under a joint license with New Line Cinema and Tolkien Enterprises, in December

2005

New Line and its parent company, Warner Bros, release a flood of merchandise based upon the films, under license from Tolkien Enterprises, which also enters into new license agreements for merchandise based exclusively upon the books, for board games, videogames, jewelry, figurines and other collectibles

2006

  • EA releases The Battle for Middle-earth II videogame.
  • The Lord of the Rings the Musical, a stage play, premieres in Toronto, Canada. A Kevin Wallace Ltd. production under license from Tolkien Enterprises.

2007

  • Turbine, Inc. releases an MMO videogame based on the literary property only, The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) under license from Tolkien Enterprises. Turbine is purchased by WB Games in 2010. LOTRO is purchased by Standing Stone Games in 2016
  • The Lord of the Rings the Musical premieres in the West End, London under license from Tolkien Enterprises

2010

Tolkien Enterprises changes its name to Middle-earth Enterprises

2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is released by New Line Cinema a division of Warner Bros, in December

2013

  • The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is released by New Line Cinema a division of Warner Bros, in December.
  • LEGO: The Lord of the Rings videogame is released by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) developed by Traveler’s Tales (TT Games)

2014

  • The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is released by New Line Cinema a division of Warner Bros, in December
  • Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor videogame is released by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) developed by Monolith Studios under joint license from New Line Cinema and Middle-earth Enterprises.
  • LEGO: The Hobbit videogame is released by WBIE. Developed by TT Games

2017

  • Middle-earth: Shadow of War videogame is released by WBIE developed by Monolith Studios under joint license from New Line Cinema and Middle-earth Enterprises
  • Amazon Originals options The Lord of the Ring smulti-season, episodic Television Series rights from the Tolkien Estate

2019

Amazon commences filming The Lord of the Rings (The Rings of Power) TV series in New Zealand

2021

  • WB Games & Netease release a mobile game The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War, in September
  • Warner Bros. commences production on an animated film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

2022

  • Amazon TV series The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power premieres in September
  • Middle-earth Enterprises purchased by Swedish videogame and media holding company, Embracer Group AB, based in Karlstad, in October

2023

  • EA releases a mobile game based on the books, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, in May.
  • Nacon releases Daedalic Entertainment's The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, in May
  • Wizards of the Coast release Magic the Gathering x The Lord of the Rings in June; Wizard's most successful release of its Magic the Gathering Card Game to date
  • The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale premieres at the Watermill Theatre, Berkshire,UK, in July, winning 8 Broadway World/West End Awards and shared Theatre of the Year Award with TheNational Theatre, in recognition of the Watermill Theatre's “ambitious comeback—namely a musical version of The Lord of the Rings, (awarded in February 2024).
  • Free Range Games' The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria released in October, by North Beach Games

2024

  • Warner Bros Discovery's anime production The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases in December.
  • Warner Bros Discovery announce plans for a slate of new films based on The Lord of the Rings.
  • A Musical Tale makes its U.S. debut at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's the Yard, July 2024.
  • A Musical Tale makes its debut at the Civic Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, November.

2025

  • A Musical Tale makes its debut in Australia in January 2025; and returns to the UK briefly before making its EU debut in Trieste, Italy, in October 2025.
  • Weta Interactive's first cosy videogame, Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, published by Take Two's Private Division releases in March.

timeline

The Embracer Group's Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC, owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandising, stage and other rights inThe Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books. In 1969, United Artists acquired the rights toThe Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit from their author, Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. The Saul Zaentz Company acquired the rights from United Artists in 1976, and The Embracer Group acquired Middle-earth Enterprises in October 2022

1937