The release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is still weeks away. But Peter Jackson continues to tease and tantalize us with a seemingly endless well of character posters. This time the marketing goes wide with banners of The Hobbit's heroes on the verge of facing some unseen foe.
Released on Facebook, the first of these images shows the titular Halfling, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), brandishing his sword Sting in the foreground. Behind him are his brothers in arms, dwarves Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), brothers Kili (Adrian Turner) and Fili (Dean O'Gorman), and Dwalin (Graham McTavish). Those familiar with the J.R.R. Tolkein book on which this emerging trilogy is based will recognize the significance of the spider webs that surround them.
Sir Ian McKellen is front and center as Gandalf the Grey in this banner, sharing the spotlight with no one else. But what is that dark castle that looms in the distance?
Next up is another character poster for Thranduil (Lee Pace), the steely and regal Elvenking. Aside from being a master of the side-eye, this handsome monarch is also father of Legolas of Lord of the Rings.
Here's Legolas (Orlando Bloom) readying his weapon of choice alongside fellow Elven archer Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly). As she is a new addition to The Hobbit mythos, it'll be interesting to see what Jackson and his fellow screenwriters Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Guilermo Del Toro have in store for Tauriel.
Lastly, another poster of Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman. Tolkien fans with an eye for detail will note the arrow in his bow is none other than the Bard's treasured Black Arrow. And in the background you can make out Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown, previously pictured with the strange stooge beside him in a studio-released still.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug picks up Bilbo's quest where The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey left off. Having stolen the mysterious and magical ring from Gollum, Bilbo the burglar has a new advantage in his efforts to help the dwarves reclaim Erebor and defeat the massive and merciless dragon Smaug. Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett and Billy Connolly co-star; Peter Jackson directs.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will open in the US on December 13th.
