LOS ANGELES - A unexpected rumor grows stronger in Hollywood since last week. Close sources to top executives and stars such as Nicole Kidman reports that box office failure in US theaters with Golden Compass was the last drop concerning the future of New Line Cinema. Although the movie grossed fortunes throughout the world and won a Special Effects Oscar, besting favorite Transformers, sounds like that nothing can save the company from being dissolved. The last chapter on this story was written after the publicity stunts for the Golden Compass in Japan, the last major market to premiere the fantasy flick. A person related to Nicole Kidman said that “even worldwide gross won’t be enough to save them”.

If it proves true, New Line line up will probably be taken over by Warner Bros. This year will be big in terms of anticipated movies, especially when it comes to Sex & The City – The Movie, the first big screen feature on the most famous New Yorker quartet, InkHeart and Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, both featuring Brendan Frasier. Not to mention the announced The Hobbit feature, a guaranteed golden pot at box offices after the smashing success of Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Too many great movies, too much money and too less information to take it for granted, but, still, a strong possibility according to the sources.

Without any intention to generate any conspiracy theory, recent news on a law issue involving New Line Cinema and Tolkien Estate, over the royalty rights for the multimillionaire movie franchise that, according to Tolkien representatives, “haven’t being paid at all “, corroborates to the idea that something is not right within New Line’s ranks. Was the ring’s burden to unbearable?

Let’s wait and see.

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UPDATE:

February 29, 0h05: I just got news that Warner Bros issued a press release today, few minutes after the posting of this rumor. So it’s now official, New Line Cinema will be assimilated by the Borgs.. oops.. Warner Bros itself.
Check it here for the full press release.