Del Toro confirmed as 'The Hobbit' director

11:39AM Friday April 25, 2008

Peter Jackson (L) will co-produce 'The Hobbit' while Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro will direct. Photos / Mark Mitchell and Supplied

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Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro will be based in New Zealand for four years while he makes two films based on The Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit, it was confirmed today.

The Dominion Post reported confirmation of del Toro's role was announced in Hollywood by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson - who will co-produce The Hobbit - his partner and fellow producer Fran Walsh, and executives from New Line Cinema and MGM.

"A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves," Jackson and Walsh said.

"We have long admired Guillermo's work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted The Hobbit is in such trustworthy hands."

The two films - the second of which will cover the 60 years between J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring - will be shot back to back.

The appointment follows months of speculation in entertainment circles, with del Toro admitting he was in negotiations to direct but refusing to comment further until a contract was signed.

Del Toro directed box office hits Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF

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