The Hobbit

Wanaka is reportedly in the sights of the makers of The Hobbit after Maori elders refused to let Peter Jackson film at the North Island mountain which doubled as Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings.

Key cast members of 'The Hobbit' made their first media appearance today, clearly ready to get the show on the road following chronic delays and industrial action.

The first day of shooting for the 'Hobbit' movies has been set for March 21, production company 3Foot7 announced today.

Sir Peter Jackson has been discharged from Wellington Hospital to complete his recovery at home, following an operation for a perforated ulcer, his publicist said today.

Sir Peter Jackson is recovering in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit after undergoing surgery for a stomach ulcer.

Sir Peter Jackson has undergone surgery after being admitted to Wellington Hospital with acute stomach pains.

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee has denied accusations he misled Parliament when filmmakers were considering moving The Hobbit film production overseas.

They were keen on non-speaking parts, and non-speaking they stayed yesterday.

An email from Sir Peter Jackson shows union action had nothing to do with Warner Bros.' decision on whether or not The Hobbit would be filmed in New Zealand, says Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly.

Troubled movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer said today that a federal bankruptcy court has approved a prepackaged bankruptcy plan in which its lenders will exchange nearly $US5 billion in debt for ownership of the company responsible for half of The Hobbit movies.