[kucheravka]

US, August 10, 2007 - Is Peter Jackson back in the running to direct The Hobbit? After a tense legal battle with New Line over Lord of the Rings profits, and what amounts to a public war of words with New Line honcho Bob Shaye, it didn't seem likely. But relations between Jackson and Shaye/New Line may be thawing.

The Los Angeles Times spoke with Shaye who admitted that New Line insiders have been in talks with Jackson's reps to try and make amends. "Yes, that's a fair statement," said Shaye when quizzed about it. "Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in The Hobbit."

Meanwhile, the New Zealand-based Stuff.co.nz website adds to the reinvigorated Jackson/Hobbit buzz with a fresh quote from Gandalf actor Ian McKellen who said at a news conference on Thursday that there was no doubt that a rumored reprisal of his role in The Hobbit would be discussed with Jackson and partner Fran Walsh.

The site also quotes a Jackson spokesman as saying, "Peter and Fran have always wanted to do The Hobbit but whether that happens is yet to be decided."

Should Jackson and New Line kiss and make up, the long list of rumored Hobbit helmers whose names have been bandied about for months would become moot. Sam Raimi, Peter Weir, Stephen Sommers, Michael Bay, Brad Silberling and Bill Condon are all rumored contenders. Source: IGN Movies

Well I hope it's true that New Line might be willing to try and make amends with Peter Jackson because I'd love it if Jackson was to end up at the helm for The Hobbit after all.

[dxpfmP0l]

I wish they too would kiss and make up because I have no doubt there's another amazing director out there that could make The Hobbit and do it justice but I want the guy that made LOTR (the movies) what they are today. I want Peter Jackson! C'mon New Line and Jackson!

[R1king]

That would be cool if PJ would direct the Hobbit and even cooler if Ian McKellan would play Gandalf. The same if Gollum was still played by Serkis, which I am sure would happen too.