The actor Ian McKellen, who is known as the role of Gandalf, has stated The Hobbit was supposed to begin filming last week but got pushed back 5 weeks (estimated date would be March 21st).
I hadn’t intended last Thursday to arrive in Wellington for The Hobbit filming, five weeks early. Yet, what’s new? Just a year ago I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge… A year on, filming was to start at the end of February 2011. Then, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I’m here early. Waiting for Bilbo.
There was also a major Earthquake that hit New Zealand recently, but it appears it did not cause any delays in this film.