According to reports, producer Saul Zaentz said that Peter Jackson will direct a prequel to his "The Lord of the Rings" cinematic trilogy, as well as a spin-off feature based on "The Hobbit".Website Elbenwald.de posted an interview with Zaentz, who acquired rights to the works of "Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien in 1976, on behalf of his Tolkien Enterprises.
"Next year "The Hobbit" rights will fall back to my company," Zaentz said."I suppose that Peter will wait because he knows that he will make the best deal with us. And he is fed up with the studios: to get his profit share on the "Rings" trilogy he had to sue New Line.
"With us, in contrast, he knows that he will be paid fairly and artistically supported without reservation." 
