“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the 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 Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Source: Facebook.

Also, WB has confirmed (via Comic Book Movies) the first trailer will play in front of The Adventures of Tintin next Wednesday. It’s unknown when it will debut online though.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens in December of 2012.

Called “a visionary triumph” (Rolling Stone), Academy Award®-winning director Peter Jackson (Best Director, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2003) presents a true crime drama involving two friends separated by their parents. Oscar®-winner Kate Winslet (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, The Reader, 2008), in her big screen debut, stars alongside Melanie Lynskey (Up in the Air) in the Oscar®-nominated screenplay (Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, 1994) co-penned by Jackson and his writing partner Frances Walsh (The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy). The Uncut Version features ten minutes of footage not seen in the released theatrical version.

Based on the shocking true story, two teenage girls form an unwavering bond rooted in a fantasy world that only they share. When their parents become disturbed by the intensity of the friendship, they separate the girls and threaten to keep them apart permanently. Scarred by the decision and blinded by their anger, the two girls hatch a devastating plan and vow murderous revenge on their families.

Source: DVD Active

Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

Spielberg’s film is already getting some good early feedback, but  he states that a sequel has yet to be green-lit. However, everything is good to go. ““[Sony and Paramount] were willing to do one movie with us and then give us the financial werewithal to develop a script, do all the visual storyboards and get it really in launch position. So we can launch pretty quickly on a second movie. The script is already written,” he said. The only problem is that Jackson will be busy with The Hobbit for the next couple of years, and it will take a while for the sequel to develop.

It would be pointless to release this as a 20th Anniversary Edition without extras, so keep tight until we know more.

On a quiet street, in a small town, pure evil has come to stay. Lionel, an innocent young man, is forced to care for domineering mother and finds the task a whole lot more demanding after she’s bitten by the cursed Sumatran rat monkey. Passing the point of death, Lionel’s mother sucks friends and family into her gruesome existence among the living dead and Lionel is sent spiraling into a ghoulish nightmare.

“There’s no way you can pace yourself for shoots like these,” Jackson says. “When we were going through the schedule for The Hobbit, I felt a terrible drop in my stomach when I saw that we’d be shooting for 254 days. We’re only 12 days short of The Lord of the Rings even though we’re only doing two movies. When I saw that, I had to sort of pick myself up off the floor and carry on.”

The first part of The Hobbit is set to be released December 14th, 2012.

Source: Coming Soon

The extras are not new, as they’ve been ported over from the 2005 DVD edition. They are:

Peter Jackson’s 10th Anniversary Intro

The Making of The Frighteners

Feature Commentary with Director Peter Jackson

Storyboards

My Scenes

Pocket BLU

Nonetheless, this should be a solid release.

Source: Blu-ray

“As we near the end of our first shooting block (we have a break in less than three weeks to get some editing and visual effects work done, plus prepare for very big scenes coming up), we are looking at characters featuring in sequences that take place a little later in the story.”

“We are thrilled to confirm that Stephen Fry will be playing The Master of Laketown.”

“The Master’s conniving civil servant, Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage.”

“Last, and certainly not least, is Conan Stevens, who will be playing an Orc called Azog (Orcs are never called Roger or Dennis for some strange reason).”

Stephen Fry casting is some great news and another reason to look forward to this.

Source: Peter Jackson’s Official Facebook

Jackson also announced that Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) has been cast as the Elven King Thranduil in the two-part prequel. In the novel, Thranduil captures Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and The Dwarves in the northern part of Mirkwood.

In the novel, Elrond shelters Bilbo Baggins (Marin Freeman) and the Dwarfs while on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. It would seem difficult for Jackson not to include that scene in the film as that’s how two characters become friends.

Update: Stuff is reporting that Weaving is apparently going to return in the prequel as Elrond, but it may be wise to wait for an official announcement.