Del Toro to make a hobbit of it?

Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro is reportedly in talks to direct two instalments of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, according to industry whispers.

The Hollywood Reporter says Mexican-born del Toro is on a shortlist of directors that the film's backers, New Line and MGM, are looking at for the high profile project.

Del Toro, whose other directing credits include Hellboy, Blade II and Mimic, is reportedly a frontrunner because of his deep love for Tolkien's work and his track record with fantasy films. He is also understood to command respect among the genre's fervent fans.

It is the latest installment in a long-running saga over The Hobbit, which was originally to be adapted and directed by Peter Jackson, the man behind the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. After settling a dispute in December with New Line over profits, Jackson is now committed to other projects and unable to direct. However, he will act as an executive producer.

The Hobbit is currently scheduled for release in 2010, with the sequel to follow a year later.

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