Slice of SciFi has just learned that Peter Jackson is currently in negotiations with three unnamed studios (no doubt New Line is one) to take over the director’s chair for the two upcoming “Hobbit” movies that will act as prequels to Jackson’s critically acclaimed and highly successful box office – The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Recently famed director Guillermo del Toro (“Hellboy”) stepped away from the project as director citing creative differences with studio heads but has stayed on as consulting screenwriter. Jackson already serves as producer for the two films.

More to come as we have it.