David Yates is being lined up as the new director for The Hobbit.

The Harry Potter filmmaker is reportedly the top replacement choice for studio MGM, as they search for a suitable candidate to oversee the highly-anticipated two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy tales - a prequel to The Lord of the Rings movies.

Previous director Guillermo del Toro pulled out of The Hobbit last month after continued delays with production, believed to be caused by studio MGM’s financial difficulties. Since then, David has been cited as the best candidate to replace him.

The English director has worked on the final three movies in the wizard franchise ,which he will continue working on until next year. This is expected to give MGM enough time to raise funds ahead of his involvement.

Meanwhile, Sir Ian McKellen - who is due to reprise his role as Gandalf in the fantasy prequel - took to his Twitter account recently to reassure fans the film won’t be affected by the change of director: “Hobbit sets are ready, script ready and movie is casting this month. Fans are not to worry. The films will get made. I suspect we’ll start shooting at end of this year. (sic)”

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