Del Toro in talks to direct 'Hobbit'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is reportedly in talks to direct a pair of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel "The Hobbit."

Del Toro is best-known for his films "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy."

The two "Hobbit" flicks will be shot simultaneously, co-financed by New Line and MGM, and executive produced by Peter Jackson, The Hollywood Reporter said Monday.

Jackson is the co-writer and director who turned Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" books into a trilogy of big-screen blockbusters.

Due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, no one has been hired to write the screenplays for the "Hobbit" films, however, Del Toro and Jackson were expected to supervise the writing when one is, the trade paper said.