Peter Jackson Says THE HOBBIT Isn't Even Close to Being Greenlit

Peter Jackson spoke to Empire recently and squashed any rumors that The Hobbit is nearing production.

The Hobbit has been cursed with various pre-production woes that includes a studio fire, director Guillermo Del Toro vacating the project and bankruptcy.

“We are nowhere different to any other reports or conversations. We haven’t got a greenlight yet. We’re still waiting. Things still seem to be inching closer to some sort of happy place. I keep hearing that so many times now I’ve stopped tuning into it,” said Jackson.

Jackson is also still a writer and producer for the film and says he isn't willing to commit to The Hobbit as a director at this time until everything else gets worked out.

“You can’t believe everything you read. There is only one thing you want to believe and that’s when the studio announces a greenlight. As far as I’m aware that’s not going to be today. I keep hearing positive things. Everyone’s working very hard. There’s a lot of people at Warner Bros. who are working around the clock trying to maneuver through the MGM complexities," said Jackson.

The Hobbit is still attached to MGM and Jackson is hoping that Warner Bros. can take the property over so the movie doesn't end up in what he calls "bankruptcy hell."