By Ethan Walshe
Managing Editor

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the hugely anticipated prequel to the multibillion dollar grossing Lord of the Rings trilogy, is slated for release in December 2012. It will be part one of a two movie series directed by Peter Jackson, director of LotR.

The film tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, relative of LotR protagonist Frodo Baggins, as he journeys with a wizard and thirteen dwarves to slay a dragon residing in the Lonely Mountain and reclaim the treasure the dragon has taken. The story follows the adventures that the group encounters along their way, including battles with giant spiders, trolls and the discovery of the ring of power that is central to LotR.

The film stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo and Richard Armitage as the dwarf leader Thorin. It also features appearance from LotR actors Elijah Wood and Sir Ian McKellen as Frodo and the wizard Gandalf respectively.