The Hobbit movies begin shooting March 21

Weta Workshop was kind enough to share The Hobbit movie news, saying that production company 3Foot7 Ltd. has announced that that the first day of principal photography for The Hobbit will be Monday, March 21, 2011.

This date was chosen to accommodate filming schedule requirements, actor availability and New Zealand seasonal weather. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand. 

Confirmed cast include Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy and Elijah Wood.

“Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started,” commented director Sir Peter Jackson.

Weta Workshop houses a range of artistic disciplines under one roof, including conceptual design, weapons, armour and chainmaille, specialist props, vehicles, specialty costumes, models and miniatures, special make-up and prosthetics, public art and displays.

Drawing on more than 20 years of filmmaking experience, five-times Oscar-winning design and effects supervisor Richard Taylor is intimately involved in all projects from concept through to delivery.

Although best known for the company's design and effects work on award-winning film projects, including Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia and Avatar, Weta Workshop offers services to all creative industries throughout the world.

The company also offers high-quality collectibles, like Hobbit ears and a New Zealand map of Middle-Earth.