The-Hobbit-An-Unexpected-Journey-PosterThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey premieres tonight over in Wellington, New Zealand, where the first audiences will be treated to Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-earth, kicking off a brand new trilogy.

We were recently treated to the latest instalment in Jackson’s excellent series of production videos, giving us a look at the process of post-production, and now the first clip from the film has made its way online, in which Gandalf is seen giving Bilbo the sword that we know well from The Lord of the Rings as Sting.

“The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.”

Martin Freeman leads the charge this time around as the young Bilbo Baggins, starring alongside Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Sylvester McCoy, and Christopher Lee.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released in 3D in regular and IMAX theatres on 13th December here in the UK, followed a day later on 14th December in the US. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will then land on 13th December, 2013, and finally The Hobbit: There and Back Again on 18th July, 2014. For now, here’s the first clip from the film to help tie you over whilst we await its arrival on the big screen.

[yframe url=’www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgGL0F9r4XM’]