REPORT: PETER JACKSON RETURNING TO MIDDLE EARTH

It now appears likely that Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, will also direct the two Hobbit prequels, the two entertainment industry trade publications, Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, said today (Monday). Both “trades” said that Jackson has been in talks with Warner Bros./New Line and MGM, who are jointly financing the movie since Guillermo Del Toro departed the project and other top directors turned down offers to replace him. Jackson, who is a producer of The Hobbit, reportedly is demanding that the two films, which will be shot back-to-back, be fast-tracked so that he can fulfill his commitments to other studios, including an agreement to direct one of Steven Spielberg’s TinTin movies.