Fans one step closer to making a Jackson-directed feature happen. When it comes to Hollywood, it looks like the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease. Case in point: Close to 40,000 fans of J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit are one step closer to seeing Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson helm a big screen adaptation for MGM and New Line Cinema.

As reported on TheOneRing.net, a petition to have Jackson and the effects wizards at Weta Workshop tackle The Hobbit %u2014 whose film rights are dizzyingly split between MGM and New Line %u2014 received 39,116 signatures and was delivered to both studios on Sept. 22. In an unprecedented move, Rick Sands %u2014 COO of MGM %u2014 actually took time out of his schedule to respond to the fan outcry. Here’s what he had to say:

“Peter Jackson’s phenomenal success with The Lord of the Rings trilogy makes him the first and most ideal choice for directing The Hobbit. MGM would be thrilled to collaborate with the Academy Award-winning director on this MGM New Line Cinema production. And, I’m sure to the delight of the 50,000 filmgoers who have petitioned us in recent weeks, demanding we bring this film to fruition, we have had a few initial conversations about the project with Mr. Jackson’s representatives.”