Above: Nicholas Hoult as J.R.R. Tolkien
According to an article The Guardian released yesterday, April 23rd, a spokesperson for the Tolkien Estate announced to the news source that they “wish to make clear that they did not approve of, authorise or participate in the making of this film [and] do not endorse it or its content in any way”.
This news does not come as a huge surprise to fans, as the Tolkien Estate has kept a tight leash on the Professor’s legacy throughout the release of inspired films as well as authorized and unauthorized published books based on or about J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. A biopic, however, is a bit more on the personal side of things. I can imagine that it is not easy seeing the life of someone you knew and loved represented from a filmmaker’s point of view.
The Tolkien Estate made it clear that they are not seeking legal action against the filmmakers, only that they are looking to let the public know they are not at all associated with the film. No matter who the subject is of a biopic, there are bound to be inaccuracies. However, without the Estate’s participation, one has to wonder just how accurate the film will represent Tolkien’s personal life.
Once the embargo is lifted on May 3rd, Middle-earth News will post their official review of the film and break down plot details. In the meantime, if you wish to learn more about the Professor from the perspective of the Tolkien Estate, visit their site here.
The Tolkien biopic is set to be released in theaters May 3rd in the UK and May 10th in the US.
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