 The Tolkien estate was never in favor of Peter Jackson (I) (qv)s  film adaptation but seeing as J.R.R. Tolkien (qv) signed the  rights away in 1968 for $15,000, there was nothing they could do  about it. Tolkiens grandson Simon came out in support of the  production and was disowned by his relatives. Tolkiens son  Christopher later retracted any opposition.