This from TORN and an interview with PJ:
By now we all know that the "Scouring of the Shire" won't be in the films due to the fact that there can't be a second, lesser climax in the story after the larger events that take place. But please tell us if you are going to use the "Sailing away from Middle-Earth" ending, which would age the characters a year or two from their final battles in the films and provide a more fitting farewell to such well-loved characters?
I'm putting the answer in the extended entry section, so click if you want to know!
The answer is "yes".
YAY!!! Okay, I'm happy now :)
Posted by Ith at March 18, 2003 5:26 PM