Part 10/16:
Despite these successes, behind the scenes the studio was embroiled in controversy. Legal disputes over The Lord of the Rings profits—particularly with Jackson and the Tolkien estate—led to costly lawsuits alleging underpayment and mismanagement. These legal battles kept profits tied up and hampered future adaptations, including the contentious production of The Hobbit, which involved delays, budget overruns, and creative disagreements.