Will Peter Jackson choose himself as the replacement director for The Hobbit now that Guillermo del Toro has jumped ship? It depends on who you ask. For his part, Jackson seems to be suggesting it’s a possibility, telling a New Zealand interviewer, “If that’s what I have to do to protect Warner Brothers’ investment, then obviously that’s one angle which I’ll explore.” But Jackson’s own manager immediately leapt into action to suggest that he didn’t mean any such thing, saying
When Peter says that directing himself is one angle he’d explore if he had to, that means, if we can’t find another director who is right for the films that everyone can agree on, and, if at that time, the other studios involved in his other projects would relieve him of his obligations.
Now, I have no idea what his other obligations may be (Has he finished Tintin yet?), but I can’t believe that everyone in the movie world and elsewhere wouldn’t want to step aside to let Jackson direct these movies. Ignoring the success of his three Lord of The Rings movies, there’s still the sad but true fact that, well, The Lovely Bones and King Kong didn’t really suggest that audiences are incredibly interested in Jackson without hobbits attached; his draw is as much the material as his flourishes. Doesn’t everyone (aside, apparently, from his manager) want Jackson to do this?
More On Techland:
Hobbit For 2012: Warner Bros. Inks 20 Picture Deal With IMAX