Peter JacksonIt's no secret that 'The Hobbit' has suffered its fair share of setbacks. Guillermo del Toro was on board to direct but dropped out after MGM's financial woes delayed production. Writer/producer Peter Jackson saved the day by stepping in to take the helm but was faced with a union boycott that almost halted everything once again. Now, in the latest setback, Jackson has been admitted to a New Zealand hospital due to a perforated stomach ulcer.

Jackson was admitted to a Wellington hospital with acute stomach pains and was rushed for surgery.

What does this mean for the future of 'The Hobbit'? Jackson's publicist says it's nothing to worry about. "Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably, and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to 'The Hobbit' beyond a slight delay to the start of filming." Speedy recovery, sir.