Image courtesy New Line Cinema

The highly anticipated prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, has finally been greenlit even though labor disputes threaten to move the location from New Zealand (where Jackson shot the LOTR series).

In a statement by New Line president and COO Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros. president and COO Alan Horn, and MGM co-CEO Steve Cooper, the studios confirmed the good news that "the two films based on The Hobbit are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson."

Jackson, who was not originally slated to direct the prequel but came on board when Guillermo Del Toro dropped out, said, “Exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience. It’s an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We’re looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo – and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM”.

Considering his last visit to LAX was less than peaceful (and ended up with him the back of a cop car), Russell Brand seems to be trying a new approach to traveling.

We spotted the British funnyman bonding with a Hare Krishna outside of a terminal. He even walked away with a flowery lei for all his trouble.

We definitely prefer this Russell!

While breakups, separations and divorces are the top stories in Hollywood these days, it's interesting to see a couple like LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, whose relationship started out of an affair, still going strong.

The duo looked just as sinfully happy as ever while leaving Colony Nightclub in Hollywood Friday night. Eddie and LeAnn keep their relationship spicy by going dancing... oh and a couple of shots never hurt either:

Courtesy of LeAnn's Twitter

Can you believe these two have been together for over a year? But I guess it still remains to be seen if they can make it last longer than David & Courteney, Christina and Jordan or Laura and Ben!

Following in the success of $#*! My Dad Says, Ashton Kutcher has sold yet another comedy to CBS based on a Twitter feed.

He's already developing the project Shh...Don't Tell Steve based on the Twitter of a guy who chronicles his bonehead roommate's antics, and now he's also sold Dear Girls Above Me about a guy who chronicles his bonehead female neighbor's stupid sayings.

Kutcher, who is a prolific Tweeter himself, is executive producing the project along with Jason Goldberg and David Schiff, reports THR.

Rihanna was spotted checking out of L'Hermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills yesterday with a hunky new man in tow.

He's looking a little more "bodyguard" than "boyfriend", but Matt Kemp better watch his back!

Michael Lohan is hitting out at recent interviews given by his ex Dina that suggest that Lindsay Lohan doesn't "need" to be at Betty Ford and that Michael has "threatened" Lindsay's attorneys.

In a new statement to X17online, Michael accuses his ex of being a liar and an addict herself, who "needs to check into a rehab for [her] own addictions."

"Dina is soooo full of it, I can smell her all the way here in LA. Ms. Denial, puts a bunch of lies out there, has people write comments on blogs, leaks "source" stories, which are no more than lies and then blames others.

Wait, Lindsay doesn't have to be there???? Okay Dina, her alternative is jail, so what's a better choice?

She can walk out anytime? Right, and a sheriff will pick her up immediately!

A serious rehab? I thought you said for years that Lindsay wasn't addicted, everything is FINE and she has no problems??!! Yes she does, her problem is YOU. You enabling, lying, white trash brother killer!

I threatened Lindsay's lawyers? Right? Sure, then why aren't I in jail, you pathetic QUEEN of Twists. I introduced you to Stephanie Ovadia and between her and you, I am owed a ton of money. Do you really want to go there? Well YOU will have to, because you are being taken to court soon, for all the judgements you never paid, yet you hide income through Stephanie. Income I and others are owed.

Tony Almeida is going public REAL SOON and everyone will know the truth about you and what happened. YOU did this. And YOU are making worse for Lindsay! Just like you did at Cirque Lodge until I came there!

Ya know what, I will make a deal, if you check into a rehab for your own addictions, I will stop. Or if you conceed to have your tongue cut out or your lips sown shut, I will laugh!

Better yet, come clean and admit how you screwed up Lindsay's life, you lie about everything, what a screwed up family you come from and how you killed your own brother by cutting off his medical insurance for the interferon treatment he was getting because he called ME to help his son, and I do a swan dive off the Brooklyn bridge!

By the way, Kate Major doesn't have to smear you. You do a good enough job yourself. You are a mere pimple on an elephants ass. A real pain!

P.S. Is that vial in your purse Botox, or is it left over blow you bought last year on Super Bowl Sunday? ( Yes, there is a tape from the sister of the dealer who sold it to you and NOW it will come out.)"

Dina's a "pimple on an elephant's ass?" That may be the most creative insult we've ever heard slung between the two!

Kim Kardashian is always quick to say she doesn't drink, but last night, for her 30th birthday bash at TAO in Las Vegas, she must have made an exception!

The birthday girl, whose real b-day isn't until Thursday, tweeted:

"One white russian coming up! Hmmm who can I drunk dial tonight?"

We're not sure who the lucky recipient of what must be the rare KK drunk dial was, but it certainly seemed as if Kim was having a blast with her sisters and girlfriends until one of them "attacked" her!

Courtesy Kim's Twitter

"Omg @khloekardashian is attacking me!!!!" she wrote in the wee hours of the morning. Hope Khloe got in her thirty licks on the birthday girl!

Jennifer Garner's youngest Seraphina put up her tiny dukes while hanging out with mom in Beverly Hills yesterday.

But with that cute baby smile on her face, we know she wasn't really looking for a fight!

Jen had a rare day off yesterday as she just wrapped shooting on Arthur (also starring Russell Brand) and she prepares for the release of her new film, Butter.

Somehow, she manages to make juggling a successful career and motherhood look easy breezy!