Oh, wow! Awesome! I thought they are in the preproduction stage, which could take months to complete. Charlotte posted a pic about working on preproduction in early April. Did he actually mention about starting shooting?

So true, Sam couldn't have carried the ring for long. He was the best assistant, but not the ring bearer. Sam had something his heart desired greatly, Shire, Rose, that would have corrupted his heart. Frodo had less attachment, that made him special.