Director for the Hobbit?

[Lairënuriel]

article link:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i331d7d05b80084765745bd938bacac53

article snip:
Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," which is being co-financed by New Line and MGM.


I loved Pan's Labyrinth, I think he could actually do it.

[Beren One-Hand]

Pan's Labyrinth was pretty good, but sad.  The guy that I have heard mentioned the most was Sam Raimi -the director of the Spiderman films.  But Del Toro might have that fantasy-edge, which might be needed to do justice to the franchise.  I'm sad that Jackson just won't direct it.  At least Jackson will be a producer and would still have a considerable level of influence on how the films are made.

 

[Lairënuriel]

First 'official' leak...

article snip:
Guillermo del Toro has officially signed up to direct The Hobbit, according to reports leaking out from a film premiere in France. The Pan's Labyrinth creator will oversee a double-bill of films based on JRR Tolkien's fantasy adventure, which paved the way for The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson, director of the Oscar-winning Rings trilogy, will serve as executive producer.
The announcement was made at last night's French premiere of The Orphanage, a Spanish horror film that Del Toro helped produce. Introducing the film-maker, the host told the audience: "Today is a big day because we are announcing what everyone wanted to hear, which is that he will be directing The Hobbit." Del Toro had previously been reported to be in negotiations to take charge of the project.


article link:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2250245,00.html

[Beren One-Hand]

Great article.  Well I'm excited either way.  I'm glad that things are moving along with the Hobbit films, and obviously getting a director on board is a major step.  I wish Del Toro all the luck, and with Jackson producing it, this could be huge once again for the Tolkien world!   

[Lairënuriel]

Here is the official announcement in Spanish and in French.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIvVc0BBEFQ