In an article on the state of New Line Cinema in the Sunday New York Times, New Line's founder and co-chairman Robert Shaye told the Times' Sharon Waxman that 'although there was no workable script for The Hobbit yet, he intended to release it in 2009.'  When asked about negative comments he made about Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson (see 'Jackson's Feud With New Line Heats Up') Shaye admitted that he made the remarks 'in a moment of emotion,' but did not regret making them.

Shaye refused to comment on numerous reports that New Line was angling to get Spider-Man director Sam Raimi to helm The Hobbit.  According to the Los Angeles Times Raimi has told associates that he was considering directing The Hobbit. Raimi's defection to make The Hobbit would be a blow to Sony, which hopes to make at least six Spider-Man films (the script for Spider-Man 4 has already been commissioned) and wants to keep Raimi in the director's chair if at all possible.

Complicating the entire situation is New Line's desire to make two Hobbit films, which means a far greater commitment of time for the director, and the fact that MGM, which holds the distribution rights for The Hobbit, is still holding out for Peter Jackson to direct the film (or films).  This is the kind of stalemate that could go on for years, save for the fact that New Line's option on the property is running out, so the studio will have to make its move in the fairly near future.