Electronic Arts is close to wrapping up the licensing deal for the Lord of the Rings movie franchise.
 
The ongoing negotiations between New Line Cinema and Electronic Arts for New Line's Lord of the Rings movie license are close to completion, reports Variety publication eV. The report cites sources in stating that the Lord of the Rings movie-licensing fee could exceed $10 million. If negotiations proceed smoothly in the final stages, a deal could be announced by the end of this month. Activision and Codemasters were also named as potential suitors of the Rings movie franchise.

Interestingly, Havas Interactive is reportedly involved in litigation surrounding its Lord of the Rings book rights. The company has stalled plans to release competing games utilizing those book rights until the situation is resolved.