Oscar-winning film director Sir Peter Jackson has undergone emergency surgery at a New Zealand hospital.
Sir Peter was admitted to Wellington Hospital on Wednesday night with acute stomach pains and underwent surgery for a peforated ulcer.
In a statement on Thursday, Sir Peter's production company says he is resting comfortably and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
It says Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to affect his directing commitment to The Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming.
Last year, a stoush blew up between the director and actors' unions over pay and conditions on The Hobbit films, which Sir Peter threatened would force production overseas.
A deal was eventually struck between the Government and Hollywood film companies backing the project to keep it in New Zealand.
Sir Peter's other films include the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Lovely Bones and Heavenly Creatures.
