WHO’S IN IT?

Martin Freeman (The World’s End), Ian McKellen (X-Men), Richard Armitage (Spooks), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Lee Pace (A Single Man), Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), Evangeline Lily (Real Steel), Luke Evans (Fast & Furious 6), Mikael Persbrandt (In A Better World), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who), Stephen Fry (Blackadder), Ken Stott (Charlie Wilson’s War), Aidan Turner (Being Human), James Nesbitt (Jekyl)

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings), director, writer, producer; Fran Walsh (The Lovely Bones), writer, producer; Philippa Boyens (King Kong) and Guillermo Del Toro (Pacific Rim), writers; Carolynne Cunningham (District 9) and Zane Weiner (Shine a Light), producers; Howard Shore (Hugo), composer; Andrew Lesnie (I Am Legend), cinematographer; Jabezz Olssen (Cleopatra 2525), editor

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) continues his journey to the Misty Mountain with Gandalf (McKellen) and the band of dwarves as led by Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage). As they get closer to the fallen Dwarf kingdom of Erebor, they run into the Elven King Thranduil (Pace) and his son Legolas (Bloom), a shape-shifter named Beorn (Persbrandt), and a settlement of Men led by Bard the Bowman (Evans). However, the real challenge comes when Bilbo comes face to face with the fierce dragon, Smaug himself (Cumberbatch)…

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?

Peter Jackson continues his Hobbit trilogy in spectacular fashion, with exciting action and thrilling fantasy storytelling complete with the return of Lord of the Rings favourites like Ian McKellen’s Gandalf and Orlando Bloom’s Legolas as well as the grand introduction of the dragon himself, Smaug.

WHEN’S IT OUT?

FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2013