The appearance of the trailer for ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies‘ is a bittersweet one. While it is one that many fans have been waiting for, it’s also a reminder that this film is the final film in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy – and possibly Peter Jackson’s final foray into Middle Earth.

The trailer below is the same one that was shown in Hall H at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. The tone is very different from the other two ‘Hobbit’ films and reminds us that the events occurring in this film will form the bridge to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

The somberness of the trailer gives a glimpse of what is to come with Bilbo’s (Martin Freeman) opening voice over in which he states ‘One day they’ll remember… remember everything that happened: the good, the bad, those that survived… and those that did not.” And the importance of it all is accentuated by Pippin’s song ‘The Edge of Night’ sung by Billy Boyd from ‘Return of the King.’

The trailer definitely teases that ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ will be a defining chapter in the Middle Earth saga and one that director Peter Jackson states will be the “most emotional [and] most tense.”

Fans will soon find out for themselves how true that is when the film is released in December.

Synopsis:

‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town.

Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain.

As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies opens in U.S. theaters on December 17th, 2014.