Whilst Peter Jackson has been confirmed to be producing New Line's upcoming dual-films based on Tolkien's "The Hobbit", many fans have been left wondering if he or the often rumoured Sam Raimi would sit in the director's chair.

Jackson's manager Ken Kamins tells Entertainment Weekly that "Peter won't be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough for The Hobbit. It will take the better part of every day of the next four years to write, direct and produce two Hobbit films. Given his current obligations to both The Lovely Bones and Tintin, waiting for Peter, Fran, and Phillippa to write, direct and produce The Hobbit would require the fans wait even longer."

No decision has been made says New Line's co-chair Robert Shaye - "There is obviously a small but significant number of directors who could handle two films of this magnitude, but we have no commitment to anybody. Now that Peter is an integral part of the decision-making process, we all have to see eye-to-eye on any candidate we try to enlist."

The creative powers are expected to start planning the films in early 2008.