The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug has released a new full-length trailer online, showing off the full epic scope of the latest episode of Bilbo’s adventure.

The new trailer is stuffed with previously unseen footage, as master Baggins and the company of Dwarves press on in their attempts to rid the Dwarven homeland of its unwanted house-guest…

Speaking of Smaug, he certainly makes his presence felt here, hissing “I am the king under the mountain,” before engulfing the camera in a wall of flame.

If the first film occasionally struggled to convey the magnitude of the task facing Bilbo and friends, this new trailer certainly strives to up the stakes, as the rest of Middle-earth finds itself sucked into the Dwarves’ quest…

Directed by Peter Jackson and co-starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug will open in the UK on 13 December 2013.

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A trio of atmospheric new banners for The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug have been unleashed online.

Showing off a handful of the film’s (many) main characters, they’re variously spooky, glow-y and snowy, with the dwarves in particular all up for some blade-swinging action.

Which comes as no surprise considering Peter Jackson’s second Hobbit film is all about the dwarves’ attempt to seize back the Kingdom of Erebor from that titular dragon.

Meanwhile, Thranduil (Lee Pace) gets a poster all to himself, we get a good look at Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman (watch out Katniss) and Stephen Fry’s Master of Lake-town makes a beard-y little cameo.

Because facial hair is officially cool in Middle-earth.

Check out the posters below…

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Update: Two more banners have been released featuring Ian McKellen, Evangeline Lilly and Orlando Bloom…

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[Click for high-res versions]

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug opens on 13 December 2013.

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Clash Of The Titans and Tamara Drewe star Luke Evans has joined Peter Jackson’s currently shooting adaptation of The Hobbit .

Evans will play Bard the Grim (otherwise known as Bard the Bowman), a skilled archer and the son of a king. He single-handedly takes on dragon Smaug.

Speaking of Smaug, the colossal winged beast has also been cast – sort of. Benedict Cumberbatch has signed on to voice the dragon, confirming long-whispered rumours about the Sherlock star’s involvement.

Cumberbatch will reportedly play Smaug using motion capture. Proving his versatility, he’ll also be providing the voice of Necromancer.

Next up for Evans are Immortals and The Three Musketeers . Meanwhile, Cumberbatch has roles in War Horse and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy .

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Part 1) opens December 2012.

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After much speculation, Peter Jackson has confirmed that Lord Of The Rings star Orlando Bloom will return for The Hobbit .

Bloom had previously hinted at ‘talks’ and expressed an interest in returning to Middle Earth, but now his involvement is 100% official.

Thankfully the time difference between Lord Of The Rings and its Hobbit prequel won’t affect the Kentish actor’s portrayal of Legolas, as the immortal, ageless elf won’t need any digital de-aging wizardry.

Here’s Jackson’s statement in full:

“Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.”

Bloom was one of the trilogy’s real breakout stars, going from total unknown to worldwide superhunk. He followed the LOTR movies with roles in Troy and a little trilogy about pirates (or something), but he has never had a character as memorable as Legolas.

With his pretty boy good looks, graceful gait and irony-free earnestness, he was pretty perfect as an elf, so it’s great to see him return.

The Hobbit: Part 1 will land in cinemas in December 2012.

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