Do you love the trailer for "The Hobbit" so much that you just can't stand the thought of leaving Middle Earth? Good news: Peter Jackson has prepared an entire tour of the place as a special Christmas treat.
The Oscar-winning director has released a fifth production video journal detailing the making of his epic "Lord of the Rings" prologue, with this one providing an especially exciting adventure into the world of filmmaking. After getting interior and CGI studio shots, Jackson and crew begin their ascent onto the wilds of New Zealand.
The film uses every climate point of the country's varied landscape, from snowy peaks to dusty deserts, and the video provides a nice look at the massive behind-the-scenes effort that goes into making the film so gorgeous and seamless. But even more impressive than the transportation of props, people, animals and craft services is the entrance into Hobbiton.
The gorgeous little shire, with homes made of real brick and wood built into hills and tracks treaded by barefoot actors, is introduced here, with emotional commentary by Frodo himself, Elijah Wood. It's actually Wood's first visit to Hobbiton after three "Lord of the Rings" films, and thanks to some creative scripting, he'll be able to appear in this film, too.
Also of note is Second Unit Director Andy Serkis, who you know best as Gollum. The motion capture star, who featured this year in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "Tintin," is returning as the deranged ring-greedy creature in "The Hobbit," and is also taking on production duties as he works to become a star director in his own right.