On Wednesday the world gets its first look at instalment two of Sir Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

But first, PJ and the peeps at Warner Bros. have posted an eerie poster in which Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) cuts a solitary figure on the banks of the River Running at the foot of the Lonely Mountain. What waits inside for our short, adventurous friend? Treasure…and the small matter of a fearsome dragon that guards it, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness). SMAUG!!!!!!!

The impending fiery showdown is not the only bad news for Bilbo. According to Jackson’s spokesman, the Middle of Middle Earth will not host the World Premiere of the second film – neither will any other Middle Earthian city for that matter. The deal between the NZ Government, Warner Bros and New Line Cinema states that at least one had to be held in New Zealand – not every premiere, folks. Mind you, we only got one last time: LOTR: Return of the King.

I can see why they want to broaden the trilogy’s overseas appeal by hosting a premiere elsewhere (particularly after the first film’s mixed reception) but surely it’ll be back home for the last instalment? Right, Warner Bros?

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens 12 December – a day ahead of the US!

The Hobbit TDOS Poster 1

You looking forward to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?

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The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Directed by Peter Jackson, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Christopher Lee, Martin Freeman, Hugo Weaving, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Manu Bennett, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Aidan Turner, Andy Serkis, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Ian Holm, Graham McTavish, Dean O’Gorman, James Nesbitt, Sylvester McCoy, Ken Stott, Conan Stevens, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, Mikael Persbrandt, Adam Brown, Jed Brophy, Stephen Hunter, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, John Bell, and Jeffrey Thomas.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens 12 December.