Peter Jackson pictured on the set of The Hobbit
In a statement released on The Hobbit’s Facebook page, Jackson announced yesterday that the film, originally intended as a two-part, will now be a trilogy. Jackson stated:
“We know creatively how compelling and engaging the story can be and—lastly, and most importantly—we know how much of the tale of Bilbo Baggins, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur would remain untold if we did not fully realize this complex and wonderful adventure.”
The release dates for the first and second parts still stand with the third film set for release in summer 2014. This change in line up has left the second and third parts of the trilogy without a name.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” will be released 14 December 2012, with the second film releasing on 13 December 2013, and the third film slated for summer 2014. All three films will be released in 3D and 2D in select theatres and IMAX.”
While it’s great that fans will have the opportunity to see even more of this epic tale on the big screen, and we’re hopeful for extended editions of all three please, it would have been preferable to release all three in the original timeline of December 2012 – December 2013. Instead it will be this time 2 years before the last of the trilogy is released in cinema. For now all we can do is hope that Jackson does Tolkien’s rich web of intricate histories and tales justice. (And that he issues a 3-for-1 ticket.)
