The first trailer for the “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” was released this week and it can be described in one word: EPIC. The film acts as a prequel to the J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Peter Jackson returns as the director, producer, and co-writer. Guillermo del Toro also joins the team as one of the film’s co-writers, and it’ll definitely be interesting to see his take on this well-known fantasy story. The film was shot in New Zealand (as were all of the LOTR films), and the very first images from the trailer are absolutely stunning. It looks like Jackson has again perfected the world of the Shire, with beautiful, colorful images and an immersive universe. The special effects displayed in the trailer look even more impressive than they did ten years ago (my God, has it really been ten years since “The Fellowship of the Rings” was released?).
Martin Freeman stars as the film’s protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, and he’s every bit as endearing and child-like as I’ve always imagined Bilbo should be. Meanwhile, several of the original cast from the LOTR trilogy appears in the trailer, including Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, and Andy Serkis makes a surprise cameo towards the end of the trailer, reprising his role of Gollum. The beautiful music playing in the background is thanks to composer, Howard Shore, whom is returning after scoring the other films in the series. It’s exciting to see this franchise come to life again and if the trailer is any indication, I’m sure the movie will be absolutely amazing.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released in theaters on December 14th, 2012, with its sequel, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” being released December 13th, 2013.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc]