The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (TBA) – Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage, directed by Peter Jackson
If you’ve missed the excitement that surrounds The Hobbit trilogy you may have been living under a rock… or even the Lonely Mountain itself. While the first in the series – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) – got off to a bumpy start, ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ promises to give audiences a greater sense of escapism while laying the groundwork for the final instalment.
Adapted from the timeless tales by J.R.R Tolkien, the fantasy films tell the story of humble Bilbo Baggins (Freeman), a hobbit that lives a peaceful life in the Shire until he is forced to help reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
Having survived the initial trials of their unexpected journey, Bilbo and his band of spirited dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage) travel east. Along the way they are confronted by a host of threats from giant spiders to dangerous wood-elves. The companions eventually reach the Lonely Mountain where they are faced with their greatest challenge yet – the Dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).
Their mission as set out by the wise Gandalf Grey (McKellen) is to “destroy the dragon. Take back your homeland”. Bilbo must show his courage as a hobbit while Smaug challenges the purpose of the journey itself.
Jackson, the award-winning director behind Lord of the Rings, brings together an international all-star cast led by Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Stephen Fry and Orlando Bloom.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theatres on Thursday 12th December.
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