The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Second instalment in The Hobbit trilogy, prequel to The Lord of the Rings.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, released in 2013, is a fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson. The screenplay was written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro, adapting J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel *The Hobbit*. It follows *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* (2012) as the second part of a trilogy that serves as a prequel to Jackson’s *The Lord of the Rings* films.
The story continues with Bilbo Baggins accompanying Thorin Oakenshield and his dwarves on their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. They are pursued by the vengeful orc Azog the Defiler and his son Bolg, while Gandalf the Grey investigates a long-forgotten evil force stirring in the ruins of Dol Guldur. The ensemble cast includes Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom.
The films were shot simultaneously in 3D at 48 frames per second, with principal photography in New Zealand and at Pinewood Studios. Additional filming occurred throughout May 2013. *The Desolation of Smaug* premiered in Los Angeles on 2 December 2013, released in New Zealand on 12 December and in the United States on 13 December. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures through its subsidiary New Line Cinema, the film received mostly positive reviews and earned $959 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2013. It was nominated for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects at the 86th Academy Awards. The final installment, *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies*, came out in 2014.
**Plot**
After their battle with Azog and his orc party, Thorin and his company are led by Gandalf to the home of Beorn, a skin-changer who can take bear form. That night, Azog is summoned to Dol Guldur by the Necromancer, who orders him to gather his forces for war. Azog gives the hunt for Thorin to his son Bolg. Beorn warns the company about Mirkwood’s dangers, including the Necromancer’s rise and the dangerous Wood-elves, then escorts them to the forest’s edge. There, Gandalf finds Black Speech on an old ruin and, prompted by a prior request from Galadriel, investigates the tombs of the Nazgûl. Before leaving, he warns the dwarves to stay on the path. They lose their way and are caught by giant spiders. Bilbo frees the dwarves using his i
- director
- Peter Jackson
- release_year
- 2013
- based_on
- The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
- screenplay_by
- Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro
- box_office
- $959 million worldwide
- academy_award_nominations
- Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects
Lore & Background
The film follows Bilbo Baggins as he continues to accompany Thorin Oakenshield and his fellow dwarves on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Pursuing them are the vengeful orcs Azog the Defiler and his son Bolg, while Gandalf the Grey investigates the return of a long-forgotten evil force in the ruins of Dol Guldur. The ensemble cast includes Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom.
Reader's Guide
The Desolation of Smaug premiered in Los Angeles on 2 December 2013, and was released on 12 December in New Zealand and on 13 December in the United States. Produced by Warner Bros Pictures through its subsidiary New Line Cinema, the film received mostly positive reviews and grossed $959 million at the worldwide box office, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2013. The film received numerous accolades; at the 86th Academy Awards, it was nominated for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. The final instalment of the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, was released in 2014.
Did You Know?
- The films were shot simultaneously in 3D at a projection rate of 48 frames per second.
- Principal photography took place around New Zealand and at Pinewood Studios, with additional filming throughout May 2013.
- English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wrote and recorded 'I See Fire', which plays during the end credits.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones were used for some shots in the film.
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