Jackson to write 'The Hobbit' himself

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- After searching for a suitable scriptwriter, movie producer Peter Jackson will write "The Hobbit" himself, U.S. industry sources say.

Jackson, who directed the epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is set for a late-2009 start for "The Hobbit," a prequel to "Lord of the Rings." But he had yet to find a scriptwriter to join Guillermo del Toro, who is also on hand to direct the film. The Hollywood Reporter, citing unnamed sources, said Wednesday Jackson has decided take up the duties himself.

The newspaper said Jackson had conducted an eight-month search for a writer to tackle the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel, centered around the adventures of the young Hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Jackson had earlier said he would not be writing "The Hobbit" because of other commitments.

Jackson, however, saw his schedule open up, and he and Del Toro were facing deadlines that required any new writer to already be familiar with Tolkein's complex Middle Earth mythology, making Jackson's participation as screenwriter make more sense, the Reporter said.