Peter Jackson May Direct 'The Hobbit'

United Press International

New Zealand-born filmmaker Peter Jackson is in talks to direct two planned movies of "The Hobbit" now that Guillermo del Toro quit the project, EW.com said.

Jackson already is a producer on the upcoming big-screen adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel "The Hobbit."

He also previously directed "The Lord of the Rings" blockbuster film franchise based on three other Tolkien books.

Del Toro directed "Pan's Labyrinth," as well as two "Hellboy" movies.

Although EW.com said Jackson is in negotiations regarding the possibility of directing "The Hobbit" two-parter, it is unclear when the project could go ahead since MGM owns half the rights to the Tolkien property and the studio reportedly is in financial trouble./p>

----

More movie news

Movie reviews

Copyright 2012 by United Press International