Peter Jackson Returns to Middle-earth with ‘Hobbit’ Sequel – 4 Photos

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(l-r) Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM. CR: Mark Pokorny.

(l-r) Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM. CR: Mark Pokorny.

(L-r) GRAHAM McTAVISH as Dwalin, KEN STOTT as Balin, MARTIN FREEMAN as Bilbo, RICHARD ARMITAGE as Thorin, and WILLIAM KIRCHER as Bifur in the fantasy adventure "THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG.' ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM.

(L-r) GRAHAM McTAVISH as Dwalin, KEN STOTT as Balin, MARTIN FREEMAN as Bilbo, RICHARD ARMITAGE as Thorin, and WILLIAM KIRCHER as Bifur in the fantasy adventure “THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG.’ ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM.

(l-r) Lee Pace as Thranduil, Director Peter Jackson and Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel on the set of "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM. CR: Mark Pokorny.

(l-r) Lee Pace as Thranduil, Director Peter Jackson and Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel on the set of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” ©Warner Bros. Entertainment / MGM. CR: Mark Pokorny.

Director Peter Jacksons sets up a shot for Orlando Bloom in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." ©Warner Bros. Entertainment. CR: Mark Pokorny.

Director Peter Jacksons sets up a shot for Orlando Bloom in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” ©Warner Bros. Entertainment. CR: Mark Pokorny.