The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Fans of The Hobbit and writer J.R.R. Tolkien have waited many years to see this novel adapted for the big screen... but now the wait is finally over as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits the big screen today.
This is one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2012 as Peter Jackson returns to the director's chair and takes us back to Middle Earth for the first time since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King back in 2003.
And if you cannot wait to see the movie over the next few days we have a few clips for the movie just to wet your appetite further:
For many on the cast list The Hobbit trilogy is the biggest movie project of their careers to date and we are likely to see the stars of Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage in particular rocket.
Freeman takes over the role of Bilbo Baggins from Ian Holm, however Holm will be making an appearance in the movie, while Armitage will play Thorin, leader of the dwarves.
Both actors have made their names in TV with shows such as The Office, Sherlock, Spooks and Strike Back as well as having some movie success - I think it is fair to say that they will be having a lot of movie success after The Hobbit comes to a close.
But it is not all about the new faces as we see some very familiar characters back.
Ian McKellan returns to the role of Gandalf the Grey while Andy Serkis is set to deliver an interesting portrayal of Gollum - remember all the events of LOTR are yet to happen to this character and so he is set to be very different from what we remember.
There are also returns for Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett as elves Elrond and Galadriel.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has already broke box office records in New Zealand and that looks set to continue as it is released around the world.
The movie follows Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, who journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.
And for the next two years are going to be treated to a trip to Middle Earth at Christmas as Desolation of Smaug and There and Back again are set for release in 2013 and 2014.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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