The Hobbit (film series)

2012-09-20T19:40:11Z

24.234.48.61: /* 48 frames per second */ Remove/rewrite part with the claim that the human eye can see 60 fps; the eye doesn't work that way and can detect changes of movement at much high frequencies anyway.

{{Currentevent}}
{{disambig-more|The Hobbit|[[The Hobbit (disambiguation)]]}}
{{Film infobox
| image=[[File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit films logo.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Hobbit
| director=[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="HBTitles">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2563|articlename=Titles and Release Dates Announced|dated=31-May-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref> [[Andy Serkis]] (Second Unit Director)<ref name="HBAndy"/>
| producer=Peter Jackson [[Fran Walsh]] [[Carolynne Cunningham]] [[Philippa Boyens]] (Co-Producer) [[Ken Kamins]] (Executive Producer) [[Zane Weiner]] (Executive Producer)<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| writer=[[Guillermo del Toro]] Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Philippa Boyens<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| narrator=
| starring=[[Martin Freeman]] [[Ian McKellen]] [[Richard Armitage]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/> ''[[The Hobbit films#Confirmed cast|See cast section below for more]]''
| music=[[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| cinematography=[[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| editing=
| studio=[[New Line Cinema]] [[MGM]] [[WingNut Films]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| distributor=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| released='''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''': 14 December, 2012 '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''': 13 December, 2013 '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''': 18 July, 2014<ref name="HBTitles2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/the-hobbit-trilogy-titles-and-release-dates/|articlename=The Hobbit Trilogy titles and release dates|dated=2-September-2012|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=2-September-2012}}</ref>
| runtime=
| country=New Zealand United Kingdom United States
| language=English
| budget=
| website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ Official Blog]
| imdb_id=0903624
}}
''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'', ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'', and ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: There and Back Again]]'', known collectively as '''''The Hobbit''''', are three forthcoming live-action films based upon [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[1937]] [[The Hobbit|novel of the same name]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/> The three films are being directed by [[Peter Jackson]] and are conceived as prequels to Jackson's earlier project, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''.<ref name="PJCasting1"/><ref name="PJFilmThree"/>

[[Martin Freeman]] has been cast to play the films' title role of [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/> Meanwhile [[Richard Armitage]] will portray [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]],<ref name="PJCasting1"/> while [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] has been cast as [[Smaug]].<ref name="PJCasting4"/> Several cast members from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'' will reprise their roles, including [[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]], [[Cate Blanchett]] as [[Galadriel]], [[Andy Serkis]] as [[Gollum]], and [[Elijah Wood]] as [[Frodo]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

Filming in [[New Zealand]] began on [[21 March]], [[2011]] and ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]];<ref name="BBCNews1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12803125|articlename=Hobbit filming finally under way|dated=21-March-2011|website=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ BBC News Online]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref><ref name="PJFilming"/> '''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''' is due to be released in the United States and the United Kingdom on [[14 December]], [[2012]], with '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''' set for [[13 December]], [[2013]], and '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''' set for [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] initially planned to produce two films, but following the conclusion of principal photography, and on seeing early cuts of these films, he decided that he wanted 'to tell more of the tale'. Therefore on [[30 July]], [[2012]], Jackson announced that 'two films will become three'.<ref name="PJFilmThree"/><ref name="FilmThreePR">{{webcite|author=[[New Line Cinema]], [[MGM|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios]], and [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-hobbit/peter-jacksons-long-awaited-filmed-adaptation-of-the-hobbit-to-be-a-trilogy/413954741973470|articlename=PETER JACKSON’S LONG-AWAITED FILMED ADAPTATION OF THE HOBBIT TO BE A TRILOGY|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=30-July-2012}}</ref>

==Plot==
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are expected to follow [[The_Hobbit#Synopsis|the plot]] from [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The stories presented in all three films will, however, include events, locations and characters not found within the novel upon which the films are based, drawing from tales written by J.R.R. Tolkien elsewhere.

According to a [[Warner Bros.]] press release for ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'':
{{Blockquote|The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome 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 Oakenshield. 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.''|[[Warner Bros.]] Press Release<ref name="WBPressRelease1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/index.php/coming-soon/the-hobbit/|articlename=THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY|website=[http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/ Warner Bros. Canada]|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>}}

Plot descriptions for the second and third films have not yet been released.

==Development==
===Directorship===
The Hobbit as a movie has been anticipated by many fans since the release of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|The Lord of the Rings]]''. Even before the pre-production began there had been and are still possible issues which could delay the production of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. In early 2005 it came to the public attention that Jackson was suing [[New Line Cinema]].<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4312463.stm|articlename=Director sues over Rings profits|dated=2-Mar-2005|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> This cast doubt on whether or not The Hobbit would ever be made. Jackson later told fans that, due to the dispute, he would neither direct nor produce the film.<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues" /> In late 2007 it was confirmed that Jackson would not direct, but ''would'' be an executive producer for two Hobbit movies.<ref name="BBCNewsPJProducer">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm|articlename=Jackson to produce Hobbit movies|dated=18-Dec-2007|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> It was later announced that [[Guillermo del Toro]] would direct the films, and that Jackson will be an active 'executive producer' with the possibility that he would help direct some scenes if necessary.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7366375.stm|articlename=Del Toro to direct Hobbit movies|dated=25-April-2008|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

However, on [[30 May]] [[2010]] it was revealed that del Toro could no longer commit himself to direct ''The Hobbit'' films, citing the continued delays in production in his reasoning.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirectorLeave">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10204138|articlename=Guillermo del Toro 'leaves' as director of The Hobbit|dated=1-June-2010|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> Peter Jackson later announced that he would direct both films.<ref name="NZHPJDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10681008|articlename=The Hobbit gets green light, Jackson to direct|dated=16-Oct-2010|website=[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ NZ Herald News]|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===The Tolkien Estate's legal action against New Line Cinema===
{{Blockquote|The estate has [...] asked for a court order giving them the ability to terminate any rights the studio have to make films based on other Tolkien works, including The Hobbit.|BBC News Online<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal"/>}}
Production of ''The Hobbit'' films was held up by the [[Tolkien Estate|Tolkien Estate's]] legal action against [[New Line Cinema]]. The Estate should have received 7.5 per cent of all profits from the films under the agreement made by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] with United Artists in [[1969]]. Crucially, they also sought to stop the production of ''The Hobbit'' films until the case was settled.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7240421.stm|articlename=Rings film studio sued for $150m|dated=12-Feb-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> The legal row was finally settled in September [[2009]] after the Tolkien Estate successfully sued New Line Cinema for breach of contract and fraud, receiving a reported $220 million in compensation.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegalSettle">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8245300.stm|articlename=Legal path clear for Hobbit movie|dated=8-September-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===Industrial dispute in New Zealand===
Even before the issue of the directorship had been settled, and before the project was given the go-ahead by the studios, the International Federation of Actors (IFA) told actors to actively avoid participation in the production of ''The Hobbit'' films.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11414204|articlename=Union tell actors to avoid Hobbit films|dated=26-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> The IFA issued this "Do Not Work Order", on [[24 September]], [[2010]], on the basis that the studios refused to engage in union-negotiated contracts.<ref name="FIADNW">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftra.org/4AB692BB8467439D83C12A8A2C44B077.htm|articlename=FIA Do Not Work Order: 'The Hobbit'|dated=24-September-2010|website=[http://www.aftra.org/ The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists]|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Meanwhile the studios argued that they could not make an agreement with a trade union under New Zealand law.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] subsequently warned that the dispute could lead to a huge delay and that production could easily transfer to Eastern Europe.<ref name="BBCIndustrial2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11417340|articlename=Peter Jackson threatens Hobbit shutdown|dated=27-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> John Key, the incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand, weighed in on the dispute saying that he hoped the dispute would not force ''The Hobbit'' production to move overseas. He also announced that the New Zealand government had gotten involved in the discussions.<ref name="BBCIndustrial3">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11465248|articlename=Hobbit movie 'should stay in New Zealand' says PM|dated=4-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

Whilst the studios announced that filming would begin the following February,<ref name="BBCIndustrial4">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11560411|articlename=The Hobbit to begin filming in February next year|dated=17-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> the dispute remained unsettled. With the studios seriously considering moving the production abroad, large numbers of New Zealanders protested in Auckland, [[Wellington]], and Christ Church.<ref name="BBCIndustrial5">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11617860|articlename=New Zealanders rally behind Hobbit shoot|dated=25-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> A settlement was finally reached on [[27 October]], [[2010]], with the Prime Minister himself announcing the news, hoping to prevent the loss of jobs in New Zealand and to reinforce the country's Tolkien tourism industry.<ref name=BBCIndustrial6>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11633724|articlename=The Hobbit will be made in New Zealand, PM confirms|dated=27-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> As part of the agreement, the New Zealand government passed legislation which clarified that film industry workers are independent contractors rather than employees.<ref name="BBCIndustrial7>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11649734|articlename=Hobbit legislation passed in New Zealand|dated=29-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Filming finally began on [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/>

===Film Three===
At [[Wikipedia:San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con International]] 2012, [[Peter Jackson]] revealed that he hoped to film more material (based on [[The Appendices]]) in [[2013]]; this led to speculation that there could be a third "Hobbit" film. These rumours gained substance following media reports that Jackson was in discussion with [[Warner Bros.]] about the notion of an additional film.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz, Steven Zeitchik and Nicole Sperling|articleurl=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hobbit-third-movie-jackson-20120724,0,2208206.story|articlename=|dated=24-July-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ Los Angeles Times]|accessed=26-July-2012}}</ref>

On [[30 July]], [[2012]], [[Peter Jackson]] announced that there would indeed be a third "Hobbit" film. After watching the early cuts of the first two films, Jackson, [[Fran Walsh]] and [[Philippa Boyens]] decided that they wanted to take a chance to tell even more of the story.<ref name="PJFilmThree">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/peter-jackson/an-unexpected-journey/10151114596546558|articlename=An unexpected journery|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=20-July-2012}}</ref> He argued,

{{Blockquote|We know how much of the story of [[Bilbo Baggins]], the Wizard [[Gandalf]], the Dwarves of [[Erebor]], the rise of the [[Sauron|Necromancer]], and the Battle of [[Dol Guldur]] will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', as well as some of the related material in the appendices of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.|[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJFilmThree"/>}}

On [[31 August]], [[2012]], it was revealed that the titles of the second and third films would be ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'' and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' respectively. The release of the first and second film remained unchanged, whilst the third film is due for release on [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles2"/>

==Filming==
[[File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson Filming.jpg|thumb|right|Peter Jackson on the last day of principal photography.]]Back-to-back filming for ''The Hobbit'' films began [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/> All location filming was done at sites across [[New Zealand]], and most on-set filming took place at [[Stone Street Studio]], [[Wellington]].<ref name="ProductionVideo7">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151028043926807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #7|dated=6-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=6-June-2012}}</ref> Filming also took place at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in [[July]], [[2011]]. Using their F Stage and N&P Stages, the production filmed scenes with [[Christopher Lee]] who could not fly to New Zealand.<ref name="Pinewood1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/news/hobbit-pinewood|articlename=The Hobbit at Pinewood|website=[http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/ Pinewood Studios]|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref><ref name="ProductionVideo3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150326323406807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #3|dated=21-July-2011|website=FB|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref>

Principal photography ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]], after 266 days filming.<ref name="PJFilming">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151062342726558&set=a.10150238899061558.364437.141884481557&type=1|articlename=We made it!|dated=6-July-2012|website=FB|accessed=6-July-2012}}</ref>

==Technical details==
===3D===
[[File:John Howe and Alan Lee - 3D concept art.png|thumb|left|3D concept art by [[John Howe]] and [[Alan Lee]].]]
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed in 3D using [[Wikipedia:Red Digital Cinema Camera Company|RED Epic]] cameras. A rig designed by [[Wikipedia:3ality Technica|3ality Technica]] is being used in the filming of the three films; here two cameras and a mirror are used in order to achieve an intraocular effect similar to that of a human's (the distance between the eyes). This is how the depth required for 3D film is achieved.<ref name="ProductionVideo4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #4|dated=4-Nov-2011|website=FB|accessed=10-Feb-2012}}</ref>

Most of [[John Howe|John Howe's]] and [[Alan Lee|Alan Lee's]] concept art has continued to be produced in 2D. However, they have collaborated on 3D pieces using the simple red and blue 3D effect.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

===48 frames per second===
Breaking with conventional filming techniques, ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed by capturing 48 frames per second (FPS), twice the normal film standard of 24 frames per second. This makes the film look far more realistic. When describing what people thought when they saw clips of ''The Hobbit'' shown at 48 frames per second, Peter Jackson said that it's 'like the back of the cinema has had a hole cut out of it where the screen is and you're actually looking into the real world'.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Additionally, the ''The Hobbit'' films are being filmed at a 5K resolution. This is substantially larger than the conventional 1080 HD resolution. The films are being filmed digitally onto 128 GB memory cards that fit into the RED Epic camera.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

One of the drawbacks of filming 48 frames per second at 5K resolution is that the make-up, prosthetic, prop, set, and costume departments have to work differently. For example, the make-up and prosthetic departments have to redden up the faces of the actors much more than usual because otherwise their skin colour will turn up yellow on the final film. Furthermore, real hair has to be used in order to achieve an authentic look when it moves around.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Ten minutes of footage was shown at 48 FPS during the [[Warner Bros.]] presentation at [[Wikipedia:CinemaCon|CinemaCon]] [[2012]]. The reaction was mixed. The ''Los Angeles Times'' described the picture as 'hyper-realistic' and the Associated Press described 'vivid, with grass blades, facial lines and soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced. The actors looked almost touchable, as if they were performing live on stage'. However, an anonymous projectionist said that '[i]t looked like a made-for-TV movie'.<ref name="BBC48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17836380|articlename=Peter Jackson unveils new Hobbit footage|dated=25-April-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref><ref name="LAT48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/04/cinemacon-hobbit-frame-rate-depp-gatsby.html|articlename=CinemaCon: Footage of 'The Hobbit' draws mixed reaction|dated=24-April-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ ''Los Angeles Times'']|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

==Games and merchandise==
===Video games===
In [[2011]] the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] would release a video game based on ''The Hobbit'' in [[2012]], before the release of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz|articleurl=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/18/business/la-fi-1018-ct-warner-interactive-20111018/2|articlename=Warner's approach to video games is paying off|dated=18 October 2011|website=Las Angeles Times|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

===Lego===
On [[17 December]], [[2011]], it was announced that the [[Lego|Lego Group]] had received the rights to create Lego sets based on ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''. The first sets on The Hobbit are scheduled to be released in the end of 2012.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room/2011/december/warner-bros-consumer-products-and-the-lego-group/|articlename=Building sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ Trilogy and the Two Films Based on THE HOBBIT|dated=16 December 2011|website=lego.com|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

==People involved==
*Production - [[New Line Cinema]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*United States Distribution - [[Warner Brothers]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*International Distribution - [[MGM]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director - [[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Second Unit Director - [[Andy Serkis]]<ref name="HBAndy">
{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2234|articlename=Andy Serkis to serve as Second Unit Director|dated=8-April-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
*Producers - [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], and [[Carolynne Cunningham]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Co-Producer - [[Philippa Boyens]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Executive Producers - [[Ken Kamins]] and [[Zane Weiner]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Writers - Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Guillermo del Toro<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director of Photography - [[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Production Designer - [[Dan Hennah]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Conceptual Designers: [[Alan Lee]] and [[John Howe]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Composer - [[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Make-up and Hair Designer - [[Peter King]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Costume Designers - [[Ann Maskrey]] and [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Design and production of weaponry, armour, and prosthetics - [[Weta Workshop]] overseen by [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

===Confirmed cast===
[[File:New Line Cinema - cast.jpg|right|thumb|'Bilbo' and the 'thirteen dwarves' (N.B. Rob Kazinsky has since been replaced by Dean O'Gorman to play Fíli).<ref name="PJCasting2"/>|400px]]
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Richard Armitage]] || [[Thorin]]<ref name="PJCasting1">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[John Bell]]<ref name="WBPressRelease1"/> || [[Bain]]<ref name=Bell>{{webcite|author=Evie Bowman|articleurl=http://news.mymiddleearth.com/2012/07/03/exclusive-qa-with-hobbit-actor-john-bell/|articlename=EXCLUSIVE! Q&A WITH HOBBIT ACTOR JOHN BELL|dated=03-July-2012|website=MEN|accessed=04-July-2012}}</ref>

|-
| [[Cate Blanchett]] || [[Galadriel]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Orlando Bloom]] || [[Legolas]]<ref name="PJCasting5">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/posts/10150265634081558|articlename=Ten years ago,...|dated=27-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jed Brophy]] || [[Nori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Adam Brown]] || [[Ori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[John Callen]] || [[Óin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Billy Connolly]] || [[Dáin Ironfoot]]<ref name="BBCCasting1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16960081|articlename=Billy Connolly lands dwarf role in The Hobbit|dated=9-Feb-2012|website=BBC|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] || [[Smaug]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Luke Evans]] || [[Bard]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Martin Freeman]] || [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Fry]] || The [[Master of Lake-town]]<ref name="PJCasting3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ryan Gage]]<ref group="note">[[Ryan Gage]] was initially cast as [[Drogo Baggins]] (see: {{webcite|author=Earl|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/07/14/46113-ryan-gage-tweets-about-hobbit-costume-fitting/|articlename=Ryan Gage Tweets About Hobbit “Costume Fitting”|dated=02-Aug-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}).</ref> || [[Alfrid]]<ref name="PJCasting3"/>
|-
| [[Mark Hadlow]] || [[Dori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Peter Hambleton]] || [[Glóin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Ian Holm]] || Older [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting6">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150232032911558&id=141884481557|articlename=One comment that...|dated=22-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Barry Humphries]] || [[Great Goblin|Goblin King]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Hunter]] || [[Bombur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[William Kircher]] || [[Bifur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Christopher Lee]] || [[Saruman]]<ref name="TelegraphCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8311016/Christopher-Lee-will-star-in-the-Hobbit-prequel.html|articlename=Christopher Lee will star in the Hobbit prequel|dated=08-Feb-2011|website=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ The Telegraph]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Evangeline Lilly]] || [[Tauriel]]<ref name="PJCasting4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sylvester McCoy]] || [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]]<ref name="IMCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Ian McKellen]]|articleurl=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/hobbit-movie/110510.htm|articlename=2 Elves and another Wizard|dated=10-May-2011|website=[http://www.mckellen.com/ Ian McKellen's website]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ian McKellen]] || [[Gandalf]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Bret McKenzie]] || [[Lindir]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Graham McTavish]] || [[Dwalin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Mike Mizrahi]] || [[Thráin II|Thráin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[James Nesbitt]] || [[Bofur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Dean O'Gorman]] || [[Fíli]]<ref name="PJCasting2">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lee Pace]] || [[Thranduil]]<ref name="PJCasting2"/>
|-
| [[Mikael Persbrandt]] || [[Beorn]]<ref name="AFTONBLADETCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/film/article13349150.ab|articlename=Persbrandt den bäste för jobbet|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.aftonbladet.se/ AFTONBLADET]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>

|-
| [[Andy Serkis]] || [[Gollum]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Conan Stevens]]<ref group="note">[[Conan Stevens]] was initially cast as [[Azog]] (see: {{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}).</ref> || [[Bolg]]<ref name="TORNBolg">{{webcite|author=MrCere|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/04/22/55228-exclusive-hobbits-conan-stevens-chats-with-torn/|articlename=Exclusive: ‘Hobbit’s’ Conan Stevens chats with TORn|dated=22-April-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ken Stott]] || [[Balin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Jeffrey Thomas]] || [[Thrór]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Aidan Turner]] || [[Kíli]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Hugo Weaving]] || [[Elrond]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Elijah Wood]] || [[Frodo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
|}

==Trailers==
{{VideosHD|9PSXjr1gbjc|Zv9xmolXc5w}}

==Promotional posters==
{{Gallery
|title=Promotional posters of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''
|height=300
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster.jpg|The first promotional poster.
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster 2.jpg|The second promotional poster.
}}

==Gallery==
{{Seealso|:Category:Images from The Hobbit films}}
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures from the production of ''The Hobbit'' films
|height=200
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo Baggins in Bag End.jpg|[[Martin Freeman]] as [[Bilbo Baggins]] in [[Bag End]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|[[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Bag End.jpg|Gandalf in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 1.jpg|[[Peter Jackson]] on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson.jpg|Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 2.jpg|Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - the Dwarves.jpg|The thirteen [[Dwarves]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Nori, Ori and Dori.jpg|[[Nori]], [[Ori]] and [[Dori]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Óin and Glóin.jpg|[[Óin]] and [[Glóin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Fíli and Kíli.jpg|[[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bombur, Bofur and Bifur.jpg|[[Bombur]], [[Bofur]] and [[Bifur]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Balin and Dwalin.jpg|[[Balin]] and [[Dwalin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Thorin.jpg|[[Thorin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo with the Dwarves.png|Bilbo Baggins with the Dwarves.
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo and Sting.jpg|Bilbo Baggins with [[Sting]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.png|Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Packing the Dwarves.jpg|The Dwarves being packed into barrels.
|File:New Line Cinema - Kíli, Fíli, Dori, Nori.jpg|Kíli, Fíli, Dori, and Nori.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gollum in his cave.jpg|Gollum in his cave.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Hobbiton.jpg|Gandalf in Hobbiton
|File:New Line Cinema - Galadriel in The Hobbit.jpg|[[Galadriel]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Elrond and Thrór's Map.jpg|Elrond looking at [[Thrór's Map]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Dwalin and Balin.jpg|Dwalin and Balin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Attercop!.jpg|Bilbo fighting [[spiders]].
}}

==Production videos==
{{Videos
|JOhk3HE_-YY
|5D74bwYowHQ
|vRakEgN0AbQ
|KCW72JwsO4I
|jjpZeIQUox0
|A42zC_3LQsM
|vfJDurmMWgo
|6OZijZoUyh0
}}

==See also==
*''[[The Hobbit]]''
*[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]
*[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit films|Images from ''The Hobbit'' films]]
**[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|Images from ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'']]
*''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'' tie-in books
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Annual 2013]]''
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Chronicles: Art & Design]]''
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Official Movie Guide]]''
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The Movie Storybook]]''
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The World of Hobbits]]''
**''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Visual Companion]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html TheHobbit.com] (official website)
*[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ TheHobbitBlog.com] (official blog)
*[http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ Peter Jackson's Facebook page]

{{References|n}}

{{Films}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Hobbit'' films}}
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The Hobbit (film series)