News from Middle Earth

I just read a report on CNN.com that Guillermo del Toro, director of Pan's Labyrinth, has been selected to direct The Hobbit. Peter Jackson will be the executive producer.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, Pan's Labyrinth is a gorgeous film that beautifully expresses myth and magic. On the other hand, del Toro's style and vision is very different from Jackson's. I can't help but think this new movie will be distinctly different from the first three. But that might end up being a delightful surprise.