We are only 2 months away from the release of the second film of Peter Jackson’s second epic Hobbit filled trilogy, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug‘. Fans of the novels, or those who have been following our coverage so far, will somewhat know what to expect in this next installment. From promo images featuring Smaug to the latest trailer, it’s clear that the dragon our heroes will be up against stands front and center – which is what we should all hope for considering this movie is named after him!

In this press statement released by New Line Cinema, , a new synopsis is given and goes into more detail about the film. It is revealed that Team Bilbo will be encountering Beorn, giant spiders, wood-elves, and they must deal with fierce dragon Smaug. We also are retold about who was responsible for what in the creation of the film. It doesn’t really shed any light as to whether of not the third film, ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again‘, would still focus on dealing with Smaug when it is released on July 18th, 2014. I’ll be honest, I’m just glad I won’t have to wait a year this time for the finale.

Here’s the announcement in its entirety:

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’, the second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece T’he Hobbit’, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’, which Peter Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning ‘The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King’.

‘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 Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all – a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film also stars (in alphabetical order) John Bell, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Lawrence Makoare, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Dean O’Gorman, Mikael Persbrandt, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplay for ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Peter Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Marks Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

The creative behind-the-scenes team is led by director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, editor Jabez Olssen, and hair and makeup designer Peter Swords King. The costumes are designed by Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. Richard Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of armour, weapons, creatures and special makeup, which are once again being made by the award-winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital is taking on the visual effects for the film, led by senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri. The visual effects supervisor is Eric Saindon, with David Clayton and Eric Reynolds serving as animation supervisors. The music is by Howard Shore.

Under Peter Jackson’s direction, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ was shot in 3D 48 frames-per-second and will be released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX®. Production took place at Peter Jackson’s own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. Post production took place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a WingNut Films Production, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’. ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. The film opens nationwide on December 13, 2013. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.

Still looking forward to the next installment of ‘The Hobbit’? Did they give away too much in this overview or as it’s already information that has been released, was it a good follow up for those who may have missed a news story or two?

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug’ is directed by Peter Jackson and will open in theaters on December 11, 2013.

Source: Flickering Myth