Editorials > Del Toro Officially in for "The Hobbit"

If it seems like we've already told you Guillermo del Toro will be directing "The Hobbit," it's because this story has been in the making for months. But now it seems that the director of "Pan's Labyrinth" and the "Hellboy" movies has officially signed on to helm the new adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy adventure that documents the early adventures of Bilbo Baggins. Executive producer Peter Jackson, along with Fran Walsh, Toby Emmerich, and Mary Parent, made the announcement yesterday.

Variety reports that del Toro will be moving to New Zealand for the next four years to develop this project with Jackson and his Wingnut and Weta production teams. The two "Hobbit" films will be made back to back, with the first film focusing on the events of Tolkien's original novel and the second film chronicling the 60 years that pass between "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring." No writers have been attached yet, though it's expected that del Toro will collaborate with Jackson, Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.

Four years. I suppose we shouldn't expect to see either film until 2011-12 at the earliest. Well, if anyone besides Jackson should direct this film (and surely a lot of people would argue that he should be the one doing the duty), it's del Toro. He's a genuinely talented director and a major fantasy geek, to boot. I just hope that too many chefs don't spoil the broth.

-David Morgan