So, no, there's still no official greenlight from the studio. And no, we don't know who will play Bilbo Baggins (though someone probably does). But Guillermo del Toro's two-part Hobbit movie is apparently ready to start shooting this summer.

Production Weekly is reporting that the 14-month production will kick off in June, which is right in line with what Peter Jackson said they were hoping for. Hopefully MGM will be able to get all its financial ducks in a row in time for this to be a reality, and even more than that, I hope this means they actually start telling us casting stuff soon! Don't make me resort to Photoshopping the heads of notable diminutive actors on hobbit feet.