Trailer For 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Finally Arrives; Feels Awfully Familiar

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by The Playlist
December 20, 2011 10:07 PM
20 Comments

Well, it screened recently at AICN's "Butt-Numb-A-Thon" -- an annual 72 hour non-stop screening of genre-minded films, plus some early sneak peeks from the new year -- and it was rumored to appear this weekend in front of Warner Bros' "Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows," and that's likely the case, as here it is: the first teaser trailer for Peter Jackson's long-time-coming "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has finally arrived (almost an ironically fitting title since Guillermo del Toro was originally supposed to direct the film).

And yes, it's a Peter Jackson "Lord Of The Rings" film through and through, to the extent that it feels awfully familiar. Is Jackson trying to bring something new to these films or are they just a "the further adventures of..." story, only this time it's a prequel. It's hard to say. Those who loved the originals will feel very at home, but if you're hoping for something more, this looks and feels like DVD extras off the 'LOTR' trilogy. It makes us yearn for Guillermo del Toro's what-if version. Still, December 2012 is a year away. Plenty of time to try and dazzle any naysayers.

Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Luke Evans, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Evangeline Lilly, Stephen Fry, James Nesbitt, Lee Pace, Christopher Lee, Aidan Turner, Mikael Persbrandt and many many more, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" lands in theaters on December 14, 2012. A new poster below as well. Watch the HD version at Apple.

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More: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, The Hobbit

20 Comments

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KammaKL | December 21, 2011 10:55 PMReply

Crazy talk. How could The Hobbit be imagined any other way? Maybe because the film locations are the same and many faces from the LOTR are back that you find this to be "familiar". I think the trailer is great, especially the song that is sung by the dwarves and I'm stoked to see how the many other songs are used. Also, Kili is seriously hot! I was not expecting that.
starway2001 | December 21, 2011 2:29 PMReply

And we all know what happened to the guy who took a cherished trilogy and decided to "bring something new" for those "looking for more".... we all know how that worked out!
Starway2001 | December 21, 2011 12:15 PMReply

First the snark about the cameras and the frame rates Jackson decided on. Then the snark about all the characters. Then the snark about the movie's union problems. And now that everyone's fears have been abated and it looks warm, familiar and not "strange" or "new" YOU GUYS STILL BITCH! Holy moly!
Paul | December 21, 2011 11:01 AMReply

It's a teaser for a movie that's a year away. And the whole selling point of the teaser is that people can go back to the world of Lord of the Rings.

This wasn't journalism. It's a failed attempt at being smug & witty.
Fred | December 21, 2011 12:22 PM

Hilarious how butthurt people are. Also, it's amazing what people think journalism is, because writing about a trailer is not it and any cogent movie writer, probably this author, would tell you the same.
Monty | December 21, 2011 8:09 AMReply

BORING.
Ryan | December 21, 2011 7:26 AMReply

I can always count on The Playlist to provide smug, insincere commentary alongside its movie news.
Connor | December 21, 2011 7:19 AMReply

I liked it. Its a teaser trailer, hence the term "Teaser" as in not give away too much about the film. Audiences are getting too gready these days.
Mike | December 21, 2011 12:30 AMReply

Yearn for the what if version of del Toro? If it was drastically different it would be incongruous to Lord of the Rings, and it is a series, it shouldn't be drastically different, it will explore further areas, characters and cultures of the version of Middle Earth depicted in Lotd of the Rings, as it should. You'll get your del Toro fix as he's a credited screenwriter on these films.
gerg | December 21, 2011 12:21 AMReply

MUST you add snark to every post you make? Sorry your fanboy wetdream of del Toro didn't come true; get over it please.
Cory Everett | December 20, 2011 11:37 PMReply

I'm still looking forward to this but that was a pretty awful trailer. Weird slapstick, a lame Hobbit song (they'd cut all of them from LOTR for a reason, I thought?) and completely devoid of any drama or interest (until maybe the very end). Why are they resting on the fact that everyone saw the other movies instead of capitalizing on how excited everyone should be for this one?
bbobobo | December 20, 2011 11:30 PMReply

I really thought we were done with this stuff.
Fred | December 20, 2011 11:20 PMReply

Guys, it's SUPPOSED to feel and look and appear and not bring ANYTHING new to the conversation, DUH.
Bao | December 20, 2011 10:49 PMReply

Wasn't it shot at 48 fps? The trailer looks like 24 fps, no?
Ryan | December 20, 2011 10:42 PMReply

LOL, Did u like not realize that they were going to have the same feel and aesthetic as the other films? I mean come'on guys.

"The Hobbit trailer just feels too Peter Jackson-y and too Lord of the Rings-y." lol
er | December 21, 2011 12:23 AM

Seriously. Why on earth would he make it completely different, they're all supposed to tie in together at the end. Then again the Playlist will find anything to complain about.
Christopher Bell | December 20, 2011 11:25 PM

are you actually laughing
Gabe Toro | December 20, 2011 10:38 PMReply

Wow. Nerdiest shit ever.
Tyler | December 21, 2011 4:44 PM

Coming for you..... that's funny.
jingmei | December 20, 2011 10:17 PMReply

Just watched it right away as the first time. Yeah since it's a pre-sequel then supposed to remind the awesome past memory, even from the so familiar back ground music. The lead actor this time seems is a British guy plays some famous TV show there.