Universal Plans Middle-Earth Theme Park?

A post on the Orlando United forums has a unverified rumor that Universal Studios, Warner Bros and the Tolkien Estate are considering a theme park for along the same lines as the Harry Potter area. From the post:

And here is how I heard that it played out. Universal asked Warner Bros. to approach the Tolkien family since the Tolkien's trust WB with the success of the LOTR series. WB described how Universal was willing to work with JK Rowling and how the 2 of them (WB and JK) held Universal's feet to the fire to uphold Rowling's vision of the IP. And I believe that the Tolkien's may have actually talked to JK Rowling. This was before Universal said a word to the Tolkien's. So after WB stoked the fire, Universal entered the picture with an impressive plan.

As of now there is a lot of hammering out to go, but Universal has gotten a lot farther than Disney ever did.

New Weta The Hobbit Products Released

Weta has announced the release of their line of products based on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  The items (list below) include new statues, prop replicas, and more over a range of prices. To check out the full line up with pictures, click here.

1/6 Scale Figures
Gandalf the Grey ($249)
Bilbo Baggins ($199)
Thorin Oakenshield ($249)

Prop Replicas
Dwalin's Axes ($399)
Balin's Mace ($249)
Fili's Knife ($125)
Nori's Knives ($125)
Key to Erebor ($29)
Bilbo's Contract ($449)
Thorin's Map ($199)

Map Prints
Thorin's Map ($29.99)
Shire ($34.99)
Bag End Floor Plan ($29.99)
East Farthing ($24.99)
Wilderland ($34.99)

Misc
The Hobbit: AUJ - Chronicles: Art and Design book ($39.99)
Art Prints ($49.99)
The One Ring without Runes ($99)
Key to Erebor Pendant ($125)

The Hobbit Publishing Agreements Announced

HarperCollinsPublishers and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have announced they have signed up to create official tie-in products for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Harper will do the international side while Houghton handles the US market. The companies have been involved with publishing Tolkien books and Lord of the Rings movie stuff for years now. The five titles for November 2012 release are The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Visual Companion by Jude Fisher, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide by Brian Sibley, The World of the Hobbits, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Almanac and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Photo Storybook. The press releases can be found here and here.