Director Peter Jackson, who helmed the massive “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, won’t be asked to direct the movie adaptation of “The Hobbit.”

Reuters reports that the news came out late Sunday, when a letter written by Jackson to fan site TheOneRing.net was posted online.

“This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now actively looking to hire another filmmaker,” wrote the director, saying that an upper-level executive with New Line Cinema informed him they’d make “The Hobbit” with a different filmmaker.

The decision is likely the result of the legal battle currently being fought between New Line and Jackson’s Wingnut Films production company. The two organizations are quarreling over income from the trilogy’s first film, 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

The letter from Jackson noted that he and his partners wouldn’t talk with New Line about a “Hobbit” film until the lawsuit was settled. He also noted that the studio had told him they were under time constraints, and had to commence work on the project.






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