The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

An upcoming two-part epic fantasy film, which is adaptation of the 1937 novel of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

The Hobbit films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The adventure follows the journey of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into the quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

The film is directed by Peter Jackson starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug. Several actors from Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy will reprise their roles, including Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom. It is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2012 by Warner Bros.