'Harry Potter' director offered 'The Hobbit'?

Harry Potter's David Yates has been offered the director's chair for The Hobbit, according to Production Weekly.

Guillermo del Toro was previously attached to make the two-part J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, but dropped out of helming the fantasy film last month due to the financial uncertainty surrounding co-backers MGM.

Lord Of The Rings trilogy director Peter Jackson, who is producing the two-part prequel, earlier admitted that he is considering returning to make The Hobbit in order to "protect Warner Bros' investment".

Brett Ratner and David Dobkin are also said to be in the running to direct The Hobbit, reports Deadline.

Yates directed the Potter films Order Of The Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince and is behind the two forthcoming Deathly Hallows movies.