Director Peter Jackson on the set of his trilogy LORD OF THE RINGS
© New Line

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Jackson Explains 'Not' Directing THE HOBBIT

While the announcement yesterday caused a lot of fan relief, there's still the question on who's directing the two new HOBBIT films. A lot of fans have wondered why Peter Jackson himself isn't directing the project, instead serving as Executive Producer for the projects. Well, it didn't take long for Jackson's rep to explain the issue to Entertaiment Weekly. Basically, Jackson feels that the fans have waited long enough for the film to get made and having him do it would mean that those fans would have to wait even longer, something he's not willing to do..Here's the official word from his camp...

While MGM and New Line want to keep Jackson's involvement in the film as broad as possible, hinting that he may take up both writing and directing responsibilities, Jackson's manager Ken Kamins told Hollywood Insider that Jackson won't be directing the films. "Peter won't be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough for The Hobbit. It will take the better part of every day of the next four years to write, direct and produce two Hobbit films. Given his current obligations to both The Lovely Bones and Tintin, waiting for Peter, Fran, and Phillippa to write, direct and produce The Hobbit would require the fans wait even longer."

Some names that have been thrown out include; Sam Raimi, Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron. New Line's Bob Shaye was quick to add that there is a short list of directors that they're looking into but no decisions have been made at this point. As a sidenote, Sam Raimi was offered the job and has expressed interest but said flat out that he wouldn't do it if Peter Jackson wasn't involved. Raimi has received his wish on that front now that the case is settled. New Line, MGM & Peter Jackson will begin planning the two films in early 2008.