Peter Jackson has agreed to direct The Hobbit!

[wellinghall]

"In a surprising but not altogether shocking development, Deadline is reporting that Peter Jackson has agreed to direct the two HOBBIT films and that he's finalizing his deal right now with Warner Bros., New Line and MGM. While the obvious fingers were pointed at Jackson after Guillermo del Toro somewhat abruptly left the film, Jackson didn't look like he'd have the contractual wiggle room to make it happen. Whatever deals he had with other studios though, he was able to get out of and return to the world of Tolkein.

Jackson will direct both of the HOBBIT films back-to-back. He'll be flying to London over the July 4th weekend to meet with actors and then back to Los Angeles shortly thereafter to view audition tapes for the film. It all sounds like, even despite MGM's financial woes, that THE HOBBIT could wind up happening sooner rather than later."

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=32743

Comments

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Once del Toro was out of the way, I thought that either Sir Peter would direct or that he would supervise a less well-known director who would not have a signature to compete with his. However, that wouldn't be good box office, nor a good offer for an ambitious director, so Jackson it really had to be.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I think that (if true) it could be good news; although as megamole says, not unreservedly so.