He is the clue finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. He was chosen for the lucky number. He comes from the end of a bag, but no bag goes over him. He is the Barrel-rider.

Bilbo Baggins goes by many names in "The Hobbit," but one that he will never be known as is Jack Black, MTV News has learned.

Three days ago, The Daily Express wrote that Scottish actor James McAvoy was in "pole" position to claim the coveted role of Bilbo in Guillermo del Toro's two prequel films, but that Del Toro and producer Peter Jackson were also looking at Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black for the part previously played in "Lord of the Rings" by Ian Holm.

That's news to Black, the actor told MTV News during a Q&A for his new film, "Kung Fu Panda." Read more...

- Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson to co-direct the third "Tintin" film? (Stuff NZ)

- The end of the world as we know it, and John Cusack feels fine. Thesp signed on to top-line Roland Emmerich's "2012." (Coming Soon)

- Three brief videos pop up online from Charlie Kaufman's latest mind fark, "Synecdoche, New York." (/film)

- Two red band trailers from M. Night Shyamalan's new film. What's the twist? It's "Happening," and it's happening in R. (JoBlo and IGN)

- Best wishes to Harry Knowles on the day of his surgery. (AICN)

- "Eric Kohn should have his texting fingers broken." (CHUD)

- Better than a second breakfast. Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson to talk "Hobbit" with fans, Register now. (The One Ring)

- There Will Be…singing and dancing? Daniel Day-Lewis reportedly in talks to join "The Nine." (Variety)

- Tom Cruise in talks for "28th Amendment," the story of a president who realizes he doesn't actually control anything. (Insert joke of your choice HERE) (Movie Hole)

- "Saw V" has three different endings, the best traps yet, insists producer. (Bloody Disgusting)

- Rob Corddry to play world's biggest jerk in "Project A." (Hollywood Reporter)

- A bunch of new Indiana Jones pics pop up online. Wait, is that Shia saving Indy with a SNAKE!?! (Official Pix)

- New “Incredible Hulk” trailer highlights fugitive aspect of character, TV show theme, Zak Penn’s name under screenwriter. (Apple)

- Not so heavenly. Has filming stopped on Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones”? (Flicks)

- Teresa Palmer reportedly cast in “Transformers 2.” (Courier Mail)

Over the last year, we've made it a point to ask as many of the original actors from "Lord of the Rings" as possible to chime in with their opinion of the eventual "Hobbit" movie, and more specifically, to weigh in with whether or not they'd be game to re-enter the world of Middle Earth.

Sure, not all of their characters appear in "The Hobbit," but with a second, transitional film that takes place in the years between the two novels, could we possibly see Aragorn, Frodo, Galadriel, and the rest back for another go round? To hear the actors themselves say it, the answer was a resounding yes.

Well, it's time to put down the pipe weed, Viggo, dust off those ears, Cate, practice your archery Orlando, and get ready to walk around barefoot, Sean and Elijah -– you're about to get asked to go "back again." Read more...

For viewers who gaped at his vision of Lothlorien, who were left awed by his realization of Helms Deep, or who stood slack-jawed in amazement at the details of Minas Tirith – get ready to be blown away again, insists AJ Michalka, who says the next place Peter Jackson takes you will have you thinking of heaven. Literally.

"I think it’s going to be stunning," Michalka said of Jackson's vision for heaven, a major set-piece in his upcoming adaptation of "The Lovely Bones.” "There's going to be this beautiful gazebo involved, I know that. He’s doing a lot of stuff with blue screen, which if going to be insane, unbelievable. It’s going to be her own little world in heaven."

The "her" in this case is Susie Salmon (Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan), a 14-year-old who watches her family and friends from the afterlife, observing them as they struggle to cope with her brutal rape and murder. Read more...

When word came last month that "Hellboy" director Guillermo del Toro was eyeing a voyage to Middle-earth, loyal fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's lengendarium reacted with general approval and glee. If they couldn't have Peter Jackson, then here, at least, was the next best thing.

You know what? Frodo himself agrees.

"I think [Guillermo's] the perfect choice," "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood told MTV News. "I think he would certainly honor the previous work that Peter had done."

For Wood, and others like Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin and Cate Blanchett, that was precisely the issue that held up their promised involvement with "The Hobbit" — again and again actors from the original trilogy told us they would only come back with Jackson's blessing and involvement. Read more...

With the recent news that Peter Jackson has signed on to produce two films based on "The Hobbit," we decided to run through our casting choices for roles up for grabs in "The Hobbit" (which you can read here), but we've saved the biggest choice for our blog.

Read below who we think should play Bilbo, then sound off on your choices for the Ring Bearer, Smaug, Beorn, and all the characters in the world's most eagerly anticipated film. Read more...

The word just came in from New Line. There is peace in middle earth at last! Jackson won't be directing BUT he will be overseeing not one, but TWO films as an executive producer.

Details straight from New Line below!

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally. Read more...

In honor of the Red Sox World Series victory, "Cowboy Up" with our links of the day, back with news on "Green Lantern," James Bond, and more.

- And Justice for all? A day after we reported David Dobkin was the man for "The Flash," television director Greg Berlanti announced as "Green Lantern" helmer. (Variety)

- Die Another Day. And another one after that. And, sure, one more for good measure. Daniel Craig to return for four more Bond films, says MGM president. (First Showing)

- First pictures from the set of Peter Jackson's latest "The Lovely Bones" surface online. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

- Brett Ratner no longer attached to direct "Escape from New York" remake. (AICN)

- Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, and Amanda Peet join forces for "Real Men Cry." (Hollywood Reporter)