So believe it or not Guillermo del Toro is set to direct The Hobbit. Yes the news that we've really known for a long time now has finally been confirmed, he's signed to direct two films back to back, and is heading to New Zealand to work with Wingnut and WETA on the two episodes of The Hobbit.

The official statement gives us a few comments from the man himself.

"This is a great honor, and I am indeed blessed to become a part of the filmmaking community that Peter, Fran and their extraordinary team of collaborators have created in New Zealand. I want to thank them, Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Toby Emmerich and Mark Ordesky for entrusting me with such an incredible project. Contributing to the 'Lord of the Rings' legacy is an absolute dream come true."

There then ensues a bunch of comments from all about how great everyone is, so let's just take that as read and move on. You can read them all over at the official The Hobbit film blog.

The deal means that Guillermo del Toro will be moving to New Zealand to work with the production teams from Peter Jackson's WETA and Wingnut companies as well as the man himself and create the two Hobbit films back to back.

The Hobbit and the sequel will cover the period of the novel all the way to the start of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring.

It's not really a surprise though is it? We all knew the news was unconfirmed and del Toro's less than subtle poem the other day really did clinch the deal. I mean who else would be such a strong choice for the part?

Now we should expect to start hearing the news of casting, and most importantly the return of some familiar faces which, I hope, won't be a surprise either.