MovieReporter.net talked recently with Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and producer/writer of the upcoming film, The Hobbit.  Jackson told the site that the script’s second draft should be completed by December or January.  The filmmakers hope to begin shooting the picture next summer.

Guillermo Del Toro is set to direct The Hobbit, which has not officially been green-lit yet.  As of now, a December 2011 release date has been reported with a possible second film set for release in December 2012.

Source: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=26378