This is a shame, but if it means Del Toro gets to make more passion projects (especially At The Mountains of Madness), then I'm ok with it.

My realistic choice for director to replace him would be Alfonso Cuaron. My dream choice would be Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Wow, that's some outside-the-box thinking there! Now that I'd be first in line to see.

Jodorowsky directing The Hobbit.

Tom Six's The Hobbit Centipede.

Fuck no!
Can we please get something we haven't seen before.

I wouldn't mind faithful adaptations to classic stories...the others...weren't too faithful...the classic adapts are good but not as adaptations...I'd love to see Frankenstein from Del Toro.

<---- That's my boy!

Really? I think Del Toro is perfectly rated. Most of his stuff is good, has an amazing level of creature design for his films, and they're fun...those pertain to Blade II and Hellboy films..the rest?

It's his "serious" stuff...Devil's Backbone, Pan's, Cronos (I've yet to see this..but I will when CC puts it out...it is kinda serious right?) that gets him his place in "serious" filmmaking added in with his visual flare as well. And of course..they're entertaining.

I never really became a big fan of his till Pan's. Like HB (some flaws but it was good) and Blade II was fun (something about the ending just seems weak to me). Devil's Backbone always got my attention though. And after Pan's he did HB II which was better. I mean..he has a solid track record. Him being on The Hobbit makes sense but was also surprising considering that PJ did LoTR. Again his visual flare would mean more detailed props and design..less CGI of which he's really good at using it when needed, and great storytelling. I've no issue with where he stands as a filmmaker and recognition for it.

I hope the Hobbit films dont ever get made just so that MGM gets screwed.

MGM's already screwed. The company has no capital to produce movies and is on the verge of bankruptcy. This is why sure-things like The Hobbit and the next Bond aren't green-lit: MGM simply doesn't have any money to make them (even as co-productions).

Time for Sony to buy Bond and WB to buy The Hobbit from MGM.

Like MGM would sell (or their debt holders would let them). The Bond franchise has shown its ability to be re-invented each generation and continue in perpetuity, while the Hobbit is just this giant pot of gold waiting for someone to pick it up.

The only way WB or Sony will get those franchises is if they buy out MGM outright (which is what MGM wants someone to do).

Don't be silly. There are no leprechauns in The Hobbit!

Can I now dream of Michael Bay's version of The Hobbit?

How ironic that MGM used to be this huge beast in filmmaking...now to just be...whatever this is. I can't remember the last time I saw a recent film w/ the MGM tag. Quantum of Solace and before that....Casino Royale?

Maybe PJ will direct, but doubtful. Maybe this would be a project best left undone, as I could easily see it becoming something like the Superman franchise if not done quickly.

EW suggested the name of ALfonso Cuaron. Which I am down with..not sure how his 'Hobbit' World would look like.

Hot Tub Time Machine was their most recent release:
http://www.imdb.com/company/co0016037/

I was talking about personal experience...QoS was the last time I saw an MGM flick.

Get Joel Schumacher.

Nipples on hobbits. Fuck it - nipples on EVERYBODY

And neon. LOTS of neon...

or...Roland Emmerich?

Stephen Sommers?

Woohoo! I get nipples on me!

If he could delay Yellow Submarine for a while, I think Robert Zemeckis would be good. He'd still get to do some motion capture, just not for the whole freakin' movie.

Kevin Smith's THE HOBBIT

'damn gollum, eat a tick-tak, and get back in that damn cave... and don't come out'

Michael Bay /Thread!

Just imagine the explosions, the gut wrenching agony and a killer Aerosmith soundtrack.