LOTR is NEVER going to be at a pro price, it's bill of materials was never at that lower level, and it won't be now.
Just look at the ORIGINAL 03 game's msrp on Stern's page today:
http://www.sternpinball.com/games/213/the-lord-of-the-rings
6500 Dollars.
that's all you need to see. if a VE were to come out the price would start there and go up.
If you don't like the fact that Stern's games from 10 years ago were Premium level material games at less than half the current premium price, then don't buy Stern games. Show them with your wallet.