The Hobbit Will Probably Begin Shooting Towards the End of This Year

Posted on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 by Brendon Connelly

There’s two big fingers out there pointing, and each is aimed at a flashing light that says “Sorry, more Hobbit delays”. The first indication comes from a report at The One Ring. They are carrying quotes from an “absolutely reliable” source inside the production who tells them that the ongoing MGM sale is having a direct effect on the Hobbit movies:

At this stage we are all working and hoping for the best case scenario. Without a doubt, the MGM situation carries great importance.

But didn’t Ian McKellen think that production would start in the summer? And he’s an actor in the film, so surely he’s a better source than a nameless, faceless, deep-throated cigarette smoking silhouette? Okay then, here’s what Andy Serkis told Digital Spy at tonight’s Empire Film Awards:

At some point towards the end of this year I expect it will start kicking off.

To the point, anyway.

I think, really, that we don’t know what the status of The Hobbit is. I certainly hope everything gets resolved nicely, though – this one going off the rails now would be tragic.