There’s been a lot of movement on the New Line/Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings lawsuit this week. So far, things seem to be going Peter Jackson’s way. The studio has already been fined by the courts for refusing to turn over accounting documents, and in a bit of a mea culpa New Line isn’t fighting it. But we could still be a long way away from the day when New Line and Jackson kiss, make up, and finally do The Hobbit the way we all want.

For some time though, there have been rumors of lessoned tension between Jackson and New Line head Bob Shaye. The olive branch has been extended and there’s talk that if The Hobbit ever is done, Peter Jackson will be involved. If you’ve been following along with out continuous coverage of the status of The Hobbit, then you’re up to speed. You know the score. But then you’re not the average schmo on the street. You’re smarter than the average bear, and probably sexy too. Hey, you’re a Cinema Blend reader.

For the average idiot though, it’s probably something of a mystery why someone hasn’t gotten around to making another Lord of the Rings movie, when there’s a perfectly good book just sitting there, waiting to be turned into a movie. Because it’s the only thing those people read, Entertainment Weekly will be cluing the average readers in this week, by throwing The Hobbit up as their cover and recapping everything we’ve already told you over weeks and months of Hobbit reporting.

EW’s story really has nothing new to say on the subject of The Hobbit (it’s future is still uncertain thought odds of it happening with Peter Jackson are improving), but the mere fact that they’re giving a movie which doesn’t even exist so much attention is interesting. When was the last time a theoretical movie graced a major magazine’s cover? EW has figured out what we all already know: People are dying to see The Hobbit. Now if only New Line Cinema would figure it out, and pay Peter Jackson his money.