The Hobbit to be in 3D?

Peter Jackson and WETA many-handedly helped push visual effects further than they had arguably ever gone before - both in terms of scale and quality - with The Lord Of The Rings .

So it should come as no surprise that they’re planning on ensuring their film version of The Hobbit is bang up to date by making it in 3D.

At least, that’s according to a secret source of The One Ring . But a spokesperson for Jackson’s Wingnut Films refused to confirm, saying:

“It’s a conversation being had by a lot of studios but that’s as much as it is at this stage. We don’t have a cast, we don’t have a green light, and until any of those things happen no decision around [ 3D ] will be announced or made.”

Meanwhile, Sir Ian McKellen obviously knows something Wingnut don't, saying that shooting on The Hobbit should commence in June. Writing on his official website, our favourite Sir had this to say:

“THE HOBBIT’s, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in June. Filming will take over a year. Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started. The script too proceeds.

“The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth. The director Guillermo del Toro is now living in Wellington, close to the Jacksons’ and the studio in Miramar.”

So, yes, we should probably assume that all big movies from now on will be given the 3D treatment (apart from this year’s Predators , boo), but we’re just too excited at the prospect of The Hobbit doing that thing where it pops out of the screen at us.

Never was 3D more suited to a story than to Tolkien’s tale, with its expansive worlds and its larger-than-life characters (also, big battles, woo!). Expect news in the coming months that Lord Of The Rings will be re-released in 3D in cinemas leading up to The Hobbit ...

Will we need three dimensions to enjoy the One Ring and all that goes along with it?