Peter Jackson Wants $140 million From New Line

Peter Jackson, creator of "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, asked for another $140 million from New Line, arguing they committed fraud in the way it dealt with ancillary revenues generated by "The Fellowship of the Ring". Nevertheless, a spokesman from New Line company said that Jackson already been paid "enough money to rebuild Baghdad".

New Line lawyer said the money so far paid to Jackson was in line with the contract the Wellington director signed. "Peter Jackson is an incredible film-maker who did the impossible on Lord of the Rings. But there's a certain priggishness involved here. New Line already gave him enough money to rebuild Baghdad, but it's not enough for him."

Peter Jackson accused New Line that they gave Time Warner subsidiaries favorable bidding terms to keep "Lord of the Rings" dough - DVDs, etc. - in the family.