Is it too much to be a coincidence when several different news agencies report that 'The Hobbit' is finally greenlit, and that Warner Bros & MGM have struck a deal to raise the $500 million to finance the two film saga? After years of strife and false starts and that major directorial change - all that stands in the way of Peter Jackson helming Tolkien's famous novel are those pesky labor issues over in New Zealand. We are about a week away from hearing a firm resolution on that which if ironed out smoothly, will mean shooting can begin in February. Three major questions are still left unanswered... 1) Have Warner Bros/MGM got the $500 million, or have they just 'planned' how to raise it from outside investors? 2) Will the Dec. 2012 release for Part I stick? 3) Will Martin Freeman strike a deal to play Bilbo Baggins at the same time as filming on the second series of 'Sherlock' for the BBC?