Del Toro signs to direct 'The Hobbit'

LOS ANGELES, April 25 (UPI) -- Mexican director Guillermo del Toro is leaving Hollywood for New Zealand to direct "The Hobbit" and its sequel, New Line and MGM announced.

Del Toro will spend about four years filming in New Zealand alongside Peter Jackson of "The Lord of the Rings" fame, who is executive producer of both projects, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The directors next project, however, is Universal's "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army," The Reporter said.