The recent Entertainment Weekly cover article about The Hobbit has drawn a lot of attention to a subject we’ve all been discussing for months. It’s also sort of lit a fire under the involved parties to get a move on. Fans want a Hobbit movie and the time to make it is now.

Of course, the big question continues to be: who will make the movie? Peter Jackson is obviously the fan-favorite. After all, he’s already proven himself with the rest of the series. One more film isn’t too much to ask. Sam Raimi and Guillermo Del Toro are also viable contenders – ones that fans trust and storytellers who could do a good job with the film. It would appear even they are more interested in seeing Jackson helm The Hobbit, however… at least one of them is.

"Well, it really is Peter Jackson's project, and I wouldn't make any conditions. If Peter Jackson wanted to direct it, I think that makes the most sense.” Sam Raimi told MTV.com in his recent interview, pretty much echoing what fans have been thinking from the start. If Jackson has already shown he can do these movies, do them well, and make tons of money, why would there be anyone else considered, regardless of the ill will between Jackson and New Line head Bob Shae.

All of that said, Raimi doesn’t rule out the possibility that he could direct The Hobbit if the conditions were right: namely, that Jackson was still involved in some capacity. ”If [Jackson] didn't want to direct it, and he was producing it then I would love to be considered for the project.” I can’t imagine what would cause Jackson to be involved and not direct, unless New Line started pushing things forward so fast they interfered with Jackson’s current production on The Lovely Bones. Considering a script doesn’t even exist on the project, I’m not expecting that to happen.

Personally, I’m with Raimi on this: Jackson’s the man. Let him do it. Stop piddling around and let the man make fans happy and New Line stockholders rich again.