From an email conversation with Del Toro's casting director, Jeremy Zimmerman:

'I met today Jeremy Zimmerman, who has done the casting for Guillermo Del Toro’s four films. He’s known Del Toro four six years and says they are 'mates'. I asked him if Del Toro will direct The Hobbit. He was a bit taken back, almost surprised that I would even ask. " ( Read more... )