Filming for 'The Hobbit' Begins; Spice Girl Melanie Brown Pregnant; Wyclef Jean Shot

It's a mixed bag of celebrity news this manic Monday, but overall the positives outweigh the negatives, which is always a good thing.

'The Hobbit' is On Its Way!

After a ridiculous amount of setbacks, it seems as though the smoke has finally cleared and the prequel to director Peter Jackson's famous "Lord of the Rings" films will actually happen. Signs of progress revealed themselves this morning when Jackson took to Facebook to post pictures of himself on the New Zealand set. Hurrah! Here's hoping things will stay on track for Jackson.

Some of the things the director has had to endure before shooting for the film finally began were fires in Jackson's New Zealand workshop, threats of numerous union strikes (including SAG and AFTRA), casting difficulties and emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer for Jackson.

Well, when a two-film prequel is such a large scale production like "The Hobbit" (it is an estimated $500 million project), one must expect some setbacks. If all goes well, the first film of the prequel would be released in 2012. Good luck to all the cast and crew!

Spice Babies

Babies, babies, babies! That seems to be the theme for the former Spice Girls band mates. Several months after Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham announced their pregnancies (Bunton is due in May, Beckham in July), Melanie Brown has just announced that she is also expecting and due late this summer.

Congratulations to all these happy mamas!

Wyclef Jean Shot

In more sobering news, the Haitian hip-hop artist was shot in the hand Sunday, the night before Haiti's presidential runoff election. CNN reported that the singer is recovering well and that the wound is superficial. According to Jean, he was shot after leaving his car to talk on his phone.

Jean, who is campaigning for presidential candidate and musician Michel Martelly, previously attempted to run for the presidency in Haiti but was told he didn't meet the residency requirements due to the fact that he did not live in Haiti for five years prior to the election.

Martin Sheen Stands Behind Charlie

Despite all the negativity from the "trolls," at least Charlie Sheen can be happy to know that his father is in his corner. Martin Sheen spoke out to Telegraph magazine about his famous son's latest battles, stating that despite the fact that Charlie is 45, he is still a child "emotionally" due to his battles with addiction. Martin further commented that he understands what his son is going through, that he's had the same "psychotic episodes" in public. Sheen told the magazine:

"Faith can help all of us. Addiction is the dark side. It's a reflection of despair. And it's fed by all the other negativity."

Here's hoping Charlie has a long overdue heart to heart with his father one of these days. . .

Peter Gicas, The Hobbit Finally Begins Filming, Peter Jackson Posts Pictures to Prove It, E!Online

Simon Perry, Melanie Brown is Pregnant, People.com

Wyclef Jean 'Grazed by a Bullet' in Haiti, CNN.com

Alison Schwartz, Wyclef Jean Shot in Haiti, People.com

Simon Perry, Martin Sheen Understands Son Charlie's 'Hell,' People.com