Chick 1 says:

In case you didn’t know, they are currently filming J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit in New Zealand.  After several years of pre-production woes, lawsuits, and a revolving door of directors, filming finally started in March. Peter Jackson, who was originally slated as producer, is directing. All is well with the world. The man who spent more than a decade bringing The Lord of the Rings Trilogy to the screen should be in charge of its prequel. The Lord of the Rings had a huge impact on me creatively, spiritually, and in many other ways.  The commitment, passion, craftsmanship, and excellence poured into that story is inspiring.  And it appears the same care is being taken with The Hobbit. As proof, I offer this squeal-inducing video published on The Hobbit Blog a few months ago which you can watch here.

I’m happy to report that a huge number of the original cast are returning, at least appropriate cast.  This story takes place 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings so most of the hobbits have not even been born yet.  Ian McKellan returns as Gandalf, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and Andy Serkis as Gollum.  Great start! Andy Serkis has also been announced as the second unit director.  Go, Andy! I was a little disturbed that Elijah Wood was listed as Frodo since Frodo does not appear in the story but Ian Holm is also listed as Old Bilbo so there must be a new scene from his later years. In the starring role of Bilbo is Martin Freeman , of Hitchhiker’s Guide and Love Actually fame; perfect in my opinion. Richard Armitage (North and South) plays the dwarf Thorin.  Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) is Thranduil, father of Legolas and they’ve recently announced that Evangeline Lily (Lost) will play an elf as well. I have mixed feelings about this last one.  As an obsessive Lost fan I want her to do well but she seems very All-American girl. My real problem may be with how Kate’s character was written in the later seasons of Lost. We’ll see.

There was a rumor going around that David Tennant (Doctor Who) had been cast as an elf but this is apparently nothing but rumor.  I’m very sad.     See the sad little face I just made.

Finally, the first official production photos were released today at EW.com.  Check them out and let the gleeful squealing begin!

The Hobbit is being divided into two movies.  An Unexpected Journey is scheduled to open December 2012 and There And Back Again is scheduled for  December 2013.