Peter Jackson Returns to Middle Earth (UPDATED)

How do you say 'inevitable' in Elvish?

It was only a matter of time.  First they said "The Hobbit" would not be made into a live-action film.  Then they said, "Oh fine, but Peter Jackson will only write and produce, not direct."  Then Guillermo del Toro signed on to direct and fans rejoiced.  Then del Toro dropped out in May, leaving the director's chair open for (Academy Award Winning Director) Peter Jackson to fill.  Was it all a ploy?  Who knows?  We're all just happy he's back.

As amazing as a del Toro take on Middle Earth would have been, Jackson will undoubtedly maintain consistency in the look and feel of the on-screen Tolkien universe he brought to life from 2001 to 2003.

As final negotiations get hammered our with Mr. Jackson, another fairly large announcement has come out of the project.  "The Hobbit" will join the ranks of Hollywood films to be shot in 3D.  Again...inevitable.  This now begs the question, after both "Hobbit" films have been released, will the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy be converted to 3D and all five films brought back to theaters?  Probably.  George Lucas is doing it.  

"The Hobbit" will be released as two separate films to be released in December 2012 and December 2013.

Update on October 16, 2010 at 12:17 AM by Rob "T3k" Piontek

The Hobbit has been officially greenlit and will begin production in February 2011.   The news was confirmed on Friday by MGM, Warner Brothers, and New Line.