On the subject of Raimi, and forgive me if this has been mentioned before, he is going to be filming the mini series of the fantasy book Wizard's First Rule in New Zealand. Info can be found here:
http://www.prophets-inc.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=3828
My point (and question) is that along with perhaps Spiderman 4 and Wizard's First Rule will Raimi have time in the next 3, 4 or even 5 years to work on The Hobbit?
Also (and I literally will fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness if this has been mentioned) there was a press release from Saul Zaentz, the man who owns the production rights to Tolkien Enterprises, stating that he only wants Jackson to direct the movie and that in about a year Zaentz will regain full control of the project- where he will ask Jackson to take the project.