Hobbit finally ready to roll

Can it be true? Perhaps. It looks as if Peter Jackson's greatly troubled production of The Hobbitis finally set to go before the clapperboard. The near-bankrupt MGM and New Line, originators of The Lord of The Ringstrilogy, have agreed on a shooting schedule and the cameras could begin rolling as soon as February.

Jackson, originally slated to only produce

The Hobbit

, will, as rumoured, direct as well, and Martin Freeman – in, then out, now in again – seems likely to play reliable old Bilbo Baggins.

Grumpy Orcs may have mixed feelings about the news that the two-part epic will, indeed, be shot in 3D. Guillermo Del Toro, originally slated as director, was firmly against the idea. Was that the real reason he upped sticks?