Peter Jackson And Sam Raimi To Make The Hobbit?

Last week when we reported on a rumor that Sam Raimi was offered the Clash of the Titans remake, I wondered out loud (or on the web page) if this meant that he would not be making The Hobbit for New Line. Well it looks like there is more to this story. The LA Times recently spoke to New Line head Bob Shaye:

Eager to move ahead with "The Hobbit," New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first "Rings" films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.'"

But don't get too excited. IESB is reporting that Raimi is still interested in helming The Hobbit, but the only way he'll sign on is if Peter Jackson produces. This sounds more likely than Jackson returning to direct (heck, he's busy with his own projects and New Line only has The Hobbit rights for a short time). So we could end up seeing a Peter Jackson produced Hobbit film directed by Sam Raimi. I, like most people would probably be fine with that. Now the question is: Is Shaye really as stubborn as he has sounded in the past? Because Jackson has said that he won't work with New Line until they settle.