The Hobbit is a Go!

Finally someone came to their senses at New Line and decided to back up the money truck for two more go around in Middle Earth.

New Line, which is a division of Time
Warner (NYSE:TWX) , and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer said on Tuesday
they would co-finance and co-distribute two films based on J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Hobbit. Mr Jackson and Fran Walsh, Mr Jackson's production partner, will produce the two films.

That is great news for Middle Earth fans like myself. Why quibble over millions when there are billions to be made out there. It is good to see that geek-fandom is the new currency in Hollywood. Now I can't wait until Smaug is introduced in the 2nd film and the battle of 5 armies will be sweet. I hope the director (who isn't going to be Jackson unfortunately) will keep some of the whimsy of the book intact. The Hobbit was not as heavy as the Rings Trilogy and I hope this new guy will reflect that. Bilbo never had that awesome weight on his shoulders that Frodo had and was able to be a little lighter in his interactions with people.