One of the most anticipated films of the year has a brand new trailer. Grab your wizard’s staff and prepare to blow smoke rings, we’re all set to return to the Shire for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. New Line Cinema was pleased to unveil the latest trailer for the Peter Jackson directed prequel to The Lord of the Rings this week. The show opens in 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on December 14th.
If interaction is what you crave, hop on over to the film’s official site. See, the new trailer was designed with four additional endings. You can play director! Simply choose your favorite to create your own version of the video. Then you can even share the finished product. Hey, it isn’t the star map from Prometheus, which was an offering for fans before the debut of the film, but it still sounds fun.
Let’s test my grasp of the plot for An Unexpected Journey.
The titular hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, is Frodo’s elder relative. He’ll be acted this time around by Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman, in order to depict his younger days, before the one ring ever got into Frodo’s hands. I like this casting very much.
Bilbo gets enlisted into an epic journey, with the goal of reclaiming the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. How did the Dwarves loose Erebor? Well, a terrible dragon called Smaug was involved. So, Gandalf the Grey, adds Bilbo to a company of thirteen dwarves who are led by the very reputable warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. In addition to weaponry, he carries a very impressive nose on his face. Of course many of the dwarves have lovely rhyming names in their lineage. We’ll get the change to meet Glóin, who is Gimli’s father.
Along the way, our party are sure to encounter Goblins, Orcs, Wargs, Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Maybe Bilbo should have stayed at home!
When they pass through the goblin tunnels, or make an attempt at least, this is where fate leads Bilbo to meet Gollum. That’s a scene that I can’t wait to see.
The ring, of course, alters everyone’s fate from there. Cue the dramatic music.
You see quite a bit of Elrond in this new trailer. Returning to the role is the great Hugo Weaving.
It seems not too long ago The Hobbit was reportedly going to be two films, but the latest news says there will be three. More Middle Earth is better, yes? The Desolation of Smaug is due out next year and There and Back Again follows in 2014.
Dwarves aren’t the only thing The Hobbit is filled with. Check out some of the big names attached to the project. Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Christopher Lee, Billy Connolly, Evangeline Lilly, Elijah Wood, and Orlando Bloom have been cast. Lost‘s Lilly has a role Jackson is said to have created himself. Of course Cate Blanchett returns as Galadriel. She’s married to the ruler of Lothlórien, so I’m not sure why she’s making eyes at Gandalf.
Another bit of casting that makes me do a happy dance is Luke Evans in the role of Bard the Bowman, an archer. Evans is a hottie my friends. I’ve much enjoyed watching him in Immortals and The Raven, where he co-starred with John Cusack.
Let’s all raise our glasses. I think Peter Jackson will make J.R.R. Tolkien proud.
You can watch the brand new trailer below: