Saul Zaentz has died.

[Alcuin]

Zaentz was the owner of Middle-earth Enterprises, formerly Tolkien Enterprises, which owns the movie rights to both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He died Friday, January 3, 2014.

As I understand matters (and would be gladly corrected), Tolkien sold the film and merchandise rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in 1969 to pay his taxes. United Artists originally purchased the rights. Saul Zaentz Company obtained them in 1976; Middle-earth Enterprises is a division of Saul Zaentz Company.

Zaentz also made One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest won five Oscars.