The BBC is reporting that filming of The Hobbit will begin in New Zealand in July.
The film version of JRR Tolkien's book of the same name has been in planning for years.
It is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings series, and will be produced by Sir Peter Jackson and directed by Mexican-born film-maker Guillermo del Toro.
Actor Sir Ian McKellen, who reprises his Lord of the Rings role as Gandalf the Grey, revealed casting is taking place in Los Angeles, London and New York, the BBC says
The film's star, Sir Ian McKellen, will be in New Zealand in July to appear in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot.
