The Hobbit closer to filming

Prequel to The Lord of the Rings expected to be released in 2012

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - The cast members of The Hobbit on Friday declared themselves ready for the cameras to roll on the next edition of mythical adventures from Middle Earth, after months of production trouble.

Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for director Peter Jackson have plagued preproduction on the $500 million, two-movie project.