Guillermo del Toro, director of Pans Labyrinth among other extremely inventive films, is set to direct the two upcoming The Hobbit films. Yes! I was cringing at the thought of anyone other than Peter Jackson filming these movies, but this is great news. Jackson is still the producer, and I'm sure Weta is still doing effects, so I think a good amount of stylistic continuity with the LOTR trilogy will remain. Honestly, if Jackson were to direct The Hobbit, you can almost imagine exactly how they would be treated. Del Toro will bring a fresh perspective to franchise.