Embracer Group acquires Middle Earth Enterprises with all licenses – News

It’s rattling in Middle-earth, the Embracer Group (THQ Nordic, PLAION) has arranged another sales deal. This time it’s about nothing less than Middle Earth Enterprises. Yes, the group that owns all of the trademarks of JRR Tolkien holds. So specifically said Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Since 1976 the company has belonged to the Saul Zaentz Company, with the takeover all rights to films, video games, board games, amusement parks and plays go to the Embracer Group, as well as all literary works set in Middle-earth.

I’m thrilled to bring one of the most epic fantasy franchises in the world, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, to the Embracer family. This gives our group even more multimedia options. I’m excited about the future of the brand, which will launch with Freemode and Asmodee.

So Lars Wingefors, Founder and CEO of Embracer. Also Marty GlickCOO of the Saul Zaentz Company, has warm words for the takeover:

At The Zaentz Company, we’ve had the honor of leading the march of Tolkien rights over the past century, offering fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit award-winning epic films, challenging video games, top-notch plays and diverse merchandise. We couldn’t be more thrilled that Embracer is now taking on the responsibility and are confident that the group will take the brand to new heights and dimensions while retaining the spirit of the great literary originals.

Of course, there is always a lot of money involved in such takeovers, but we cannot tell you exactly how much has flowed. Because both companies have agreed to keep the purchase price for themselves. For commercial reasons, they say.

Currently there is the Amazon series The Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power shortly before the release, it should start on September 2nd, 2022. Daedalic works on the other hand The Lord of the Rings – Gollum (in preview), which was recently postponed. We can probably look forward to many more games and other adaptations. What would be your favourite? Of the Lord of the Rings – The Battle for Middle-earth 3? A successor to Middle Earth – Shadow of War? Something completely different?