When word first broke that Guillermo del Toro was stepping down as the director of two The Hobbit films, an immediate outcry was heard for producer Peter Jackson to step in and take over. He’s already directed three Middle Earth films, co-wrote The Hobbit screenplay and is out-qualified by no one for the job,.
Jackson was quick to make clear he would not be directing The Hobbit as he had other contractual obligations and there was time to find a new director. Yet while names were tossed around for the gig including Harry Potter’s David Yates and District 9’s Neill Blomkamp, Jackson said he would find a way to direct The Hobbit if he absolutely had to despite his manager stating otherwise.
Today Deadline reports that Jackson has entered negotiations with Warner Bros., New Line and MGM to direct both Hobbit films. No deal is done yet, but the article makes it seem as if a deal is imminent.
MGM is reportedly being asked to “loosen the purse strings” to bring Jackson on board and get the films made. With what money, who knows. Jackson’s signing would not be a green light for The Hobbit films to commence shooting as MGM’s bankruptcy fiasco still needs to be sorted out.
