It appears that Guillermo del Toro has not in fact been confirmed for the two upcoming The Hobbit movies. At least considering that the Hollywood Reporter is saying that he’s in talks to direct them back to back. He’s on the shortlist., and considering what he’s done with at least Pan’s Labryinth, Hellboy and Blade 2, I’d love to see him direct. Peter Jackson has previously indicated that because of other obligations, he’s only executive producing.

While there’s only one The Hobbit book, which takes place before The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy (which Jackson directed), there are two movies planned. The first would follow the book. I’m guessing that the second might be a speculative story that bridges The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

This approach leaves open the possibility of casting more of the actors from the LOTR trilogy of movies. Elijah Wood (Frodo), for example, would love to be in one of the Hobbit movies – though he’d probably have to be in the second because his character is too young for the first, if I remember correctly. At the least, some of the older characters – such as the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and some of the elves – will appear.

So despite earlier reports, this means that Sam Raimi – who I associate mentally with horror rather than fantasy – is not directing.