Check out the highly anticipated trailer as well as a new poster below . . .

In this Lord of the Rings “prequel” Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.

The movie stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis and Richard Armitage.

It is directed by Peter Jackson and the release date is December 14, 2012.