Just think -- one year from right now, we will have actually seen "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Probably more than once.
And here's the first taste of what's in store for the end of 2012. It's been a long time coming (indeed, a lengthy "Journey"), and now it's finally here -- the official teaser trailer of Peter Jackson's triumphant return to Middle-earth. And, of course, it's awesome.
It's wonderful to see Ian McKellen return as Gandalf, and we close with a glimpse of Andy Serkis as Gollum. But it's the brand-new sights and sounds that will really make your heart soar, including a shot of Bilbo wielding Sting for the first time that will give you chills.
No sign of Smaug yet. We'll have to be patient.
In case you don't know just what in the heck all this fuss is about, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is the first chapter of the two-part adventure of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a hobbit who joins Gandalf the Grey and a group of crusading dwarves on their quest to Lonely Mountain to reclaim their stolen treasure from Smaug the Dragon. On the way, Bilbo will acquire a certain magical ring, battle giant spiders and do all sorts of other exciting things that hobbits normally never do.
Check out the trailer below, or watch it in HD at iTunes Movie Trailers. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will hit theaters on Dec. 14, 2012, with "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" opening Dec. 13, 2013.
