Sam Raimi says he won't rule out a chance at directing "The Hobbit," but that it's not his primary concern right now, reports Entertainment Weekly. His name has been linked in rumors about who will helm the prequel to the massively successful "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Peter Jackson is already out of the mix for directing the film, due to a feud with New Line Cinema.

When asked the question, Raimi said, "Peter Jackson might be the best filmmaker on the planet right now. But, um, I don't know what's going to happen next for me right now. First and foremost, those are Peter Jackson and Bob Shaye's films. If Peter didn't want to do it, and Bob wanted me to do it -- and they were both okay with me picking up the reins -- that would be great. I love the book. It's maybe a more kid-friendly story than the others."

However Raimi (and everyone else) decides could impact the future of a fourt installment to the "Spider-Man" franchise.

Cast member Kirsten Dunst has gone on the record expressing her concern at this rumor and the rumor that Tobey Maguire will not wear the red mask again, saying she would probably not return without Maguire or Raimi. ''It's disrespectful to the whole team, I think, to do that. And audiences aren't stupid. It'd be a big flop without me, Tobey, or Sam. That would really not be the smartest move. But they know that already."

In happier Tolkien-related news, Tuesday will see the release of what will be the good professor's final book, The Children of Hurin. Reuters reports that Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R. Tolkien, has collected the novel from pieces of his father's manuscripts, much as The Silmarillion was pieced together. The story tells the tragic tale of Turin and his sister Nienor, long before the events of "The Lord of the Rings." Initial print run will be 500,000 although with interest in Tolkien's works still running high after the movies, this will likely be a quickly-sold out print run.