Few news stories on the choice of director for a film could rival the pandemonium unleashed by the news, reported here on Monday, that New Line Cinema wanted to move ahead with "The Hobbit", and a further prequel to "The Lord of The Rings", without trilogy director Peter Jackson.

Then Filmstalker reported that MGM, the other studio partner in the venture, didn't exactly see eye to eye with New Line on this matter, raising fans' hopes that a brawl among The Powers That Be might still land Jackson in the director's chair.

The plot has now thickened to the consistency of pudding, and the rumour-mill is grinding overtime.

Even though he has no direct influence on the conflict, and is obviously keen on returning as Gandalf, no matter who's the director, Sir Ian McKellen has made a statement on his personal website, in which he expresses his regret that Jackson might not be returning to Middle Earth.

I'm very sad as I should have relished revisiting middle Earth with Peter again as team-leader. It's hard to imagine any other director matching his achievement in Tolkien country...We will have to await developments but being an optimist I am hoping that New Line, MGM and Wingnut can settle outstanding problems so that the long expected 'Hobbit' is filmed sooner rather than later...

Then there's word from Saul Zaentz, who produced the 1978 Ralph Bakshi animated version of "The Lord of the Rings", and who's the owner of Tolkien Enterprises, and ultimate holder of the film rights to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of The Rings". He confirms, in an interview with a German site, that New Line's rush to get the films started is due to their rights lapsing next year.

Q: What is with the long anticipated Hobbit-adaption?

A: It will definitely be shot by Peter Jackson. The question is only when. He wants to shoot another movie first. Next year the Hobbit-rights will fall back to my company. I suppose that Peter will wait because he knows that he will make the best deal with us. And he is fed up with the studios: to get his profit share on the rings trilogy he had to sue New Line. With us in contrast he knows that he will be paid fairly and artistically supported without reservation.

And now there are very unconfirmed rumours that New Line has lined up a new director for the films. And it's allegedly none other than "Spiderman" franchise helmer Sam Raimi.

As another director that started out making over the top comedy tinged horror films, then to graduate to Hollywood blockbusters, one could hardly find a director with more in common with Jackson, short of cloning. But could anyone really fill these particular shoes?