We've known this was coming for awhile now, but according to The New York Times it's just become official: Peter Jackson will return to Middle Earth to direct The Hobbit. Honestly, it's a move that makes the most sense. Let him finish what he started. Jackson's deal is now finalized, as is the deal for Warner Bros., New Line and MGM to all help finance the two-part film, which some have suggested could cost upwards of $500 million for both. 
The idea is to begin production in February; however a union dispute could delay the already-delayed production and possibly force it to move to another country. Jackson wants to shoot in New Zealand, where he shot the first three 'Lord of the Rings' films, and he wants to do it using the same people, sets, etc. (In fact, multiple sets have already been built). But the folks who control the actor's unions there feel their people are being treated unfairly, and are moving to re-write the rules. Problem is, they don't have a lot of time to work this out, and moving the entire production could cost everyone a whole lot of money – not to mention delay the start of production and ultimately the planned 2012 release date of the first film.
Hopefully they'll get it worked out in time, and that Jackson gets to make the movie he believes in.
What do you think? Could all these delays and bad blood ultimately hurt the production? Or do you have confidence in Jackson and his team?
