July, then?

The filmography on Ian McKellen's official website now says that filming on The Hobbit is to start in July:

http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index1.htm

THE HOBBIT's, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in July. 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.


Here's hoping this means we'll get a casting announcement soon!