'The Hobbit' to begin shooting in March

The long-delayed shooting of Sir Peter Jackson's The Hobbit would begin in March, the movie's production company has announced.

The production company, 3Foot7 Ltd said the first day of 'principal photography' would be March 21, with filming taking place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.

The film has suffered a number of setbacks, including union disputes and a director who quit, and the hospitalisation of Jackson for a perforated stomach ulcer in January.

"Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started," Stuff.co.nz quoted Jackson as saying in the press release.

The March date has been chosen following "following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons," said the release.