MGM says it’s talked with "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson about directing another Tolkein work, "The Hobbit." Dark Horizons reports that the announcement came in the wake of an online petition (with nearly 40,000 signatures) demanding that New Line tap Jackson and all available "LOTR" cast members to work on "The Hobbit."
In an official statement sent to The One Ring, MGM COO Rick Sands wrote: "Peter Jackson’s phenomenal success with The Lord of the Rings trilogy makes him the first and most ideal choice for directing The Hobbit. MGM would be thrilled to collaborate with the Academy Award-winning director on this MGM New Line Cinema production. And, I’m sure to the delight of the 50,000 filmgoers who have petitioned us in recent weeks, demanding we bring this film to fruition, we have had a few initial conversations about the project with Mr. Jackson’s representatives."
