Even though he’s not yet officially signed on to direct The Hobbit movies – which are still waiting for a green light – Peter Jackson is in Los Angeles this week secretly auditioning potential Bilbos for the Shire-based two-parter (after doing the same in New York and the U.K.). The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit says Jackson’s deal is “close to done,†but MGM’s crappy finances continue to hold everything up. Still, the chances that The Hobbit will be made by anyone who’s not Jackson continue to shrink. Rejoice, everyone except Brett Ratner!
Peter Jackson meeting with ‘Hobbit’ actors (exclusive) [Heat Vision/HR]