Watch: Brand New Trailer For 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
September 19, 2012 9:46 AM
16 Comments

Hey guys, have you put in your order for your Bilbo and Frodo Baggins birthday cakes? As you might be aware, Saturday, September 22, marks both of their birthdays, but even if you forgot about them, they haven't forgotten about you, and a brand-new present for Tolkien fans in the midst of Tolkien Week has arrived with, a brand-new trailer for Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

The first installment of what will now be a trilogy, Tolkien's slim volume gets expanded thanks to other additional material to create a series that presumably will link up with "The Lord Of The Rings" to create one of the biggest epic sagas of all time. Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo in a story that will see him journey with a gang of pals to the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim treasure that is being guarded by the vicious dragon Smaug (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). As we already know, that creature pretty much won't be appearing until the second film, the newly titled "The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug."

So the big question: is this already much shorter story being stretched too thin? Has Peter Jackson nailed the lighter tone of "The Hobbit" or is it too goofy? Does part one have enough compelling narrative to make it worthy of a standalone? Did any of this convince you to see it in 48fps or 3D? Weigh in below.

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" arrives on December 14th, with faces new and old bringing you back to Middle Earth.

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More: Film Trailers, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

16 Comments

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Archer Slyce | September 21, 2012 8:31 AMReply

Kristin Thomson did an GREAT article on her blog ... honesty I was among the skeptic as far as the "three hobbits conundrum" goes but I'm having second thoughts : http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2012/09/20/a-hobbit-is-chubby-but-is-he-padded/ @NICOLE thanks for the head(s)-up(s)...
Lincoln | September 19, 2012 9:57 PMReply

Looking pretty good. Sadly, we'll only get to see Smaug's eye in this installment. And I approve of the goofy feel. The Hobbit was much more lighthearted than LOTR and this keeps that feeling, though there are moments of darkness. My one question for everyone: We are getting extra story here, stuff from Tolkien's (to borrow a Star Wars term) expanded universe. So, the guy in the sledge and in the cabin: Is that a (massively miniaturized) Beorn or Tom Bombadil, who didn't show up in LOTR?
Lincoln | September 19, 2012 10:29 PM

Thanks. I guess I don't know my Doctors very well.
Elmo | September 19, 2012 10:19 PM

That guy's Radigast the Brown.
Foulksy | September 19, 2012 2:25 PMReply

Can't believe how many trolls are commenting - and I don't mean the stoney types.

Never mind - I'm sure there will be another Twighlight movie along to make you all happy
Nolan | September 19, 2012 1:40 PMReply

The feeling I get watching these trailers is similar to the feeling I got watching trailers for that recent Spiderman reboot. Something along the lines of, "didn't I just watch this movie a few years ago?" I mean, this is naturally going to feel a lot like LOTR, and I suppose I can't fault it for that, but it just seems redundant.
MJ | September 19, 2012 9:07 PM

How is a prequel comparable to a reboot? Plus, don't slag off The Amazing Spider-Man, other than restarting the story it has very little in common with Raimi's movies that missed the point, & TASM has the better cast/looks a hell of a lot better.
Archer Slyce | September 19, 2012 12:00 PMReply

Am I the only one to care about spiders, one of my favorite moments in the book (plus remember how killer Shelob was in th LOTR)... well it seems they'll be in the second movie (after the warg attack I guess ? Gosh it's been years since I read Bilbo. I don't remember anything about a "giant" thingy either ?!). PS: Is this Tom Bombadil talking with a hedgehog ?
Nicole Couture | September 19, 2012 8:11 PM

Lots of spiders once they get to Mirkwood. Stone giants in the Misty Mts. throwing boulders during a storm for fun is in the book. It's Radagast the Brown, a wizard, talking to the hedgehog. He mostly comes from the info in the appendices about what Gandalf was up to when not with the Dwarves and Bilbo.
A | September 19, 2012 11:24 AMReply

I just want to see how Smaug will look like... WETA... don't let us down.
MJ | September 19, 2012 9:08 PM

He won't even be in this installment, so they've got even longer to impress you with the effect.
Lupe | September 19, 2012 10:53 AMReply

this doesn't impress me, but that's only because I've watched LOTR years before. Though Martin Freeman disappoint me little bit, but I won't tire myself by hating the movie before watching it at all. Hold your horses, people!
DAN | September 23, 2012 6:02 PM

Martin disaponts you? and Elijah didn't? X)
Farhana | September 19, 2012 10:52 AMReply

I'm looking forward to this! Whether it's good or bad, I'll wait until I've watched it to decide! Plus, I've missed Middle Earth. It'll be nice to see it portrayed with a more lighthearted atmosphere.

But I will have to re-read the book - it's been over 10 years and my memory of the story has gotten rusty. Anyone know when it's out?
jbean | September 19, 2012 10:21 AMReply

yikes...this looks terrible
Kate | September 19, 2012 10:21 AMReply

Hear Blanchett out-Jolie Jolie in Alexander : her Middle Earth accent is priceless !