If you were a nay-sayer who thought "The Hobbit" really was cursed then you'll be surprised to learn that filming has finally started on the Lord of the Rings prequels.

Anticipation for the Lord of the Rings prequels has been paramount but many followers believed for a while that the film would never get off the ground due to a string of bad luck that has hampered production. Referred to as "The Hobbit curse," director Peter Jackson (who was initially signed on to produce until Guillermo del Toro pulled out as director) has had to deal with barriers to production from every angle possible.

In October last year, fire crews struggled for three hours to control a blaze at a warehouse in where miniature sets for the movie were being stored. Jackson, who directed the original three movies, has also had to contend with pay disputes from the actors' union, earthquakes, and issues related to his own personal health.

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic prequel novel, The Hobbit movies have been given the titles "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" with the sequel entitled "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and both movies will be filmed in 3D.

Filming is taking place at Wellington’s Stone Street Studios in New Zealand and will include several periods of locational shooting around the country.

"The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will be released in 2012 with "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" coming in 2013.