The story behind the making (or non-making) of Peter Jackson's The Hobbitis now about as lengthy as The Lord of the Ringsitself.

Last week we reported that the producers were optimistic the film would begin shooting in New Zealand as early as February 2011. Then the ground got shaky again. Concerned about a pending union boycott over pay and conditions, executives from Warner Brothers flew to the Antipodes for direct negotiations with John Key, the Kiwi prime minister.

After a few tense hours, Key finally emerged to announce the Tolkien adaptation would indeed shoot in Jackson's home country. "I am delighted we have achieved this result," said the prime minister. "Making the movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but will also allow us to follow the success of The Lord of the Rings," he said.