When the falling out between Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema led to speculation of a new director for The Hobbit, the only satisfying rumor was Sam Raimi. Now that New Line is trying to reconcile with Jackson, even Raimi is hoping for Jackson to complete the quadrilogy.

"I think there's no better choice to direct The Hobbit than Peter Jackson," said Raimi. "I'm a giant fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Peter Jackson's a brilliant filmmaker. He would be the guy I think everybody would like to see direct it. I hear they're talking too, from reading the trade magazines. I don't really know firsthand but that's good. Hopefully he will direct it and give us his great version of it."

It could still be that Jackson will only return in a producing capacity. In that case, Raimi still wants in. "If he doesn't direct it and decides just to produce it, I'd love to be considered as the director. I don't know if that's being talked about. I don't want to presume to know what's happening in those rooms. I know that Peter Jackson always loved The Hobbit. I'm assuming he would want to direct it but I don't want to make any claims I don't have any knowledge of."