Written by Nicole Pedersen

Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy," "Blade 2") will direct "The Hobbit" and its sequel, it was jointly announced today by "The Hobbit" Executive Producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line Cinema's President and COO Toby Emmerich, and Mary Parent, Chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM).

"Guillermo is a filmmaker of outstanding ability; he is a genuine storyteller who brings a tremendous amount of passion, energy and imagination to his work. A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves," say Jackson and Walsh. "We have long admired Guillermo's work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted 'The Hobbit' is in such trustworthy hands."

It goes on for awhile, but you get the picture. Actually, you probably got the picture weeks ago when del Toro was asked if the deal was official and he replied with this:

Whew- Not yet. BUT there has been a lot of movement. And for the last few weeks there has been a lot of creative / cast / crew / visual talks and agreements and we have witnessed great progress in areas that I cannot disclose or that have already leaked from other sources.

I am dying to share news but I have to be patient and wait until the papers are done and my attachment is real.

BUT- Expect good things in the next 2 weeks and a nice item at COMICON.

And what was that "nice item?" I can only assume he means this "press release" we received:

NOTED FILMMAKER GUILLERMO DEL TORO SIGHTED AT HETFET PROTEST RUMORS SWIRL AS DEL TORO DENIES AFFILIATION WITH HETFET

Despite repeated claims to the contrary, candid photographs taken at the Jacob Javits Center deliver startling evidence that that there could, in fact, be a connection between noted writer/director Guillermo del Toro and the grass roots organization HETFET (Humans for the Ethical Treatment of Faeries, Elves and Trolls)

When asked about the meeting during the "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" panel at the New York Comic Convention, del Toro feigned ignorance, saying he was unaware of any gatherings, and if he was seen with these HETFET people, it was sheer coincidence. The accompanying and supposedly untouched photo seems to place del Toro with HETFET supporters, and certain sources say supporting video may also be circulating.

After the panel, del Toro exited quickly, unwilling to take any more questions on the matter. Deflecting all reporters, his publicist claimed the issue was closed. However, one astute observer noticed a telling detail: beneath del Toro's jacket, slightly obscured, was a t-shirt bearing the distinct logo of HETFET and the phrase "Support Troll Markets." In related news, Elizabeth Moora, a vocal advocate of HETFET, cited del Toro's interest in the underground group as "purely coincidental". It's safe to say this case is definitely not closed. For more information about the HETFET organization, visit http://www.hetfet.org

Man, being a publicist these days must truly suck. Personally, I would get with these HETFET folks (I dig Guillermo del Toro THAT much), but my membership in S.P.E.W is still good for a couple of months.

So now that its official and the T shirts are printed, get ready for a tidal wave of "Hobbit" hype to hit. I am willing to withstand the cheesiness of HETFET promos and anything else they can throw at me because I believe that these Hobbit movies will kick ass – and you know you do too.