Warner Bros Faces Backlash for Removing Long-Standing Lord of the Rings Fan Film
The studio's decision to enforce copyright on a 15-year-old fan project coincides with the announcement of a new film directed by Andy Serkis.
- Warner Bros announced 'The Hunt for Gollum,' a new Lord of the Rings film set for 2026, directed and starring Andy Serkis.
- The studio swiftly issued a copyright claim against a 2009 fan-made film of the same name, leading to its removal from YouTube.
- The fan film, which had been viewed over 13 million times, was widely appreciated by the Lord of the Rings community.
- Critics and fans express frustration over the studio's approach, labeling it as excessive and harmful to fan culture.
- The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between intellectual property rights and fan-created content.
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