I’m a bit glad they are taking their time. There’s really no reason to rush it, since Jackson did so well on LOTR and the Hobbit is somewhat connected, but can be outside it as well.
I’d like to see Jackson and Del Toro work together on it, I think they’d make a fantastic prequel.
Jacson will be Executive Producer and Co Writer. He implies that he will not be a hands on Producer, and will leave the creative control to Del Toro.