New Line Cinema and MGM are in talks with Mexican director Guillermo del Toro to take over directing the J.R.R. Tolkien Hobbit films.

So far the project, which would include back-to-back installments of the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has been repeatedly sidelined. In part due to the WGA strike (yes, it includes film writers, as well), but largely because of a disagreement between Rings director Peter Jackson and New Line over “profit participation.”

Although that dispute has been resolved as of December, Jackson has since taken on other big name projects including film adaptations of beloved comic book character Tintin and Alice Sebold’s bestseller The Lovely Bones.

Therefore, he has been dubbed himself unfit to fill the role of writer and director, but has decided to remain involved in the project as executive producer and will reportedly maintain a large role in creative approval.

But the show must go on. Del Toro’s name is apparently at the top of a very small list of choices the studio has in mind to fill the role of director. Both New Line and MGM have expressed concerns about the importance of these films and the care with which they need to be handled.

Neither company wants to risk bringing an unsuitable director on board.  Financial failure is of course a huge fear regarding making the wrong decision, but the companies are also looking to please the solid fan-base they have built around the Oscar-winning Rings trilogy.

Guillermo has become a popular choice, I believe due to his versatility. He has directed hugely successful action films such as Blade 2 and Hellboy, both of which were adaptations of comic book characters. In 2006, del Toro directed the Spanish-language fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth, earning him immense amounts of credibility with all geekdom. New Line and MGM have every confidence that with his skill set, del Toro will be able to bring The Hobbit to the big screen without disappointing them or the Tolkien fans.

Once the strike gets resolved, the studio reports it will fast-track the script and begin shooting principle photography by 2009.

Image: DVDtoile.com

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