The Hobbit’s Peter Jackson: Could He Go From Middle Earth To Star Wars?

Peter Jackson as the next “Star Wars” director? It’s unlikely, but not totally impossible.

Asked by an Access Hollywood producer on Friday if “Star Wars” is a universe he’d ever consider playing in, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” director didn’t completely rule it out.

“’Star Wars’? I dunno. I’ve never really thought about it. I’m busy for the next couple of years (laughs). So I’m off the cards for the next ‘Star Wars’ film unfortunately,” he said, referring to his work finishing the next two installments in “The Hobbit” trilogy.

“But, I’ve got huge admiration for what George [Lucas] created. He did what [J.R.R.] Tolkien did, really,” Peter continued. “He created a mythology. I don’t know. Someone would have to ask me and I’d have to have a very serious think about it.”

Returning to Middle Earth for “The Hobbit’s” first installment, which opens in theaters on December 14, was a treat for the director, and there were some magical moments off set too.

“It was interesting seeing Gandalf in makeup and costume because when we did ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ he was just Ian McKellen in costume with a fake beard and a hat, but this time around he was Gandalf, because we had 10 years of that character being in pop culture — Ian’s portrayal of Gandalf,” Peter told Access. “So you’re sort of standing with him on set and it does feel like you’re with Gandalf. It was strange, it was a different feeling.”

Also making things feel different on set was Peter’s “Hobbit” star – Martin Freeman – who the director said kept the mood light.

“I enjoyed returning to Middle Earth and telling a different story with a lighter tone. I think the fact that there was more comedy in ‘The Hobbit’ made it a very fresh experience,” he said. “That meant that we had actors like Martin Freeman who are very good at comedy, and there [were] a lot of laughs on set. It made it [easier because] it was a very, very heavy shoot.”