New Zealand film director Peter Jackson has said he would like to make "The Hobbit" prequel to the Lord of the Rings.

Speaking to journalists in Berlin ahead of the European premiere of the last part of the Lord of Rings trilogy, "The Return of the King" he said he would like to direct "The Hobbit", JRR Tolkien's prequel to the "Rings" trilogy set some 50 years earlier.

"I'd be interested in doing it because I think it would give continuity to the overall chapter," he said.

While many of the lead "Rings" characters do not appear in "The Hobbit" story, the wizard Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, and Gollum, the cave dweller corrupted by the powerful ring, do and should make a comeback.

Arwen, the elf princess played by Liv Tyler, could also feature again, Jackson said.

Jackson made movie history by filming all three parts of the "Rings" trilogy simultaneously. The first two films have earned a combined $1.8 billion and won a total of six Oscars.

Barrie Osborne, the producer of the trilogy, and Philippa Boyens, the writer, both said they hoped for more Oscars for the third instalment, especially one for Jackson's directing.

"The film is a memorable film that will stand the test of time and be around forever and ever.

"However winning depends on what's happening in the world, what other films are out there that you're competing with," Osborne said.

Jackson, 42, met journalists in an upmarket Berlin hotel barefoot and wearing a faded shirt and threadbare shorts. While he said "Rings" was the hardest thing he would ever do, more challenges await.

"I just love making movies. I have done since I was seven years old," he said.

Jackson will take a few weeks off over Christmas and then start writing the script for his next project, a remake of the classic "King Kong".

Like the "Rings", he will also film in New Zealand, using the same team of special effects experts.