Film production company 3Foot7 has announced the first day of shooting for The Hobbit.
Oscar-winning film director Sir Peter Jackson says that, despite some delays, the production is back on track and everyone is very excited to get started on 21 March.
The film has already been caught up in drama and controversy - from a bitter industrial dispute that prompted the Government to intervene to Sir Peter's emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer in January.
Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in the Wellington suburb of Miramar and on location throughout New Zealand.
The cast includes stars of The Lord of the Rings trilogy Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood.
