Hobbit to begin filming March 21

[Kyranger]

Sir Peter Jackson's long-delayed Hobbit movie will begin shooting in March, the movie's production company has announced.

3Foot7 Ltd said today the first day of "principal photography" will be Monday March 21, with filming taking place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.

The film has suffered a number of setbacks, including union disputes and a director who quit, and the hospitalisation of Jackson for a perforated stomach ulcer last month.

Jackson was released from Wellington Hospital last Thursday, with his spokeswoman saying he was expected to make a full recovery.

In a release from 3Foot7 today Jackson said: "Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started."

The March date was chosen following "following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons," the release said.


From http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post...lming-March-21