Digital Spy is reporting that according to Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings) The Hobbit is going to start production at the end of this year.

He said that the the two-part J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation should go in front of cameras in New Zealand before 2010 ends.

"I think Middle Earth will still feel like Middle Earth," he said in regards to director Guillermo del Toro's vision for the material. "Guillermo's got a particular take on how he envisions it, that's why he's there. Peter [Jackson], as producer, and the writing team want a fresh pair of eyes on the story."

Then he discussed whether the movie will be done in 3D.

"I don't know what's going on with that debate... I love [3D], people are really beginning to understand how to use it dramatically now."