Peter Jackson Reveals New Title of Third 'Hobbit' Film: 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'

Peter Jackson did what so many artists do these days to make big announcements about their work...he took to his Facebook page. This particular announcement revealed that the third "Hobbit" movie's title has been changed from "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" to "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies." It's a much more appropriate title because according to Jackson, Bilbo already arrived "there" in "Smaug" plus, the new title sums up the fact that there are five armies that will engage in a battle. Pretty straightforward, don't you think?

Here is Jackson's complete post (continues after the jump):

Inside Information...

Our journey to make The Hobbit Trilogy has been in some ways like Bilbo's own, with hidden paths revealing their secrets to us as we've gone along. “There and Back Again” felt like the right name for the second of a two film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo’s arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, it suddenly felt misplaced—after all, Bilbo has already arrived “there” in the "Desolation of Smaug".

The Hobbit's Survival Guide To Middle Earth

BY TRAVIS MATTICK

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most adored books in modern history. Its chief character, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins is a fish out of water on his adventure in the wider world of Middle Earth. "The Desolation of Smaug," the second part of Peter Jackson's film adaptation of the book, lands in theaters this December and this Hobbit's Survival Guide infographic [courtesy HalloweenCostumes.com] will recap everything you need to know going into the movie -- after the jump. Look at the choice gear & and equipment for a hobbit, combat & defense strategies, a rundown of a hobbit's companions & allies, and some wise words from our favorite wizard.

J.R.R. Tolkien Biopic In the Works

Courtesy telegraph.co.uk

The LA Times has reported that the story of writer J.R.R. Tolkien is set to be told in a new Hollywood biopic. Tentatively being called “Tolkien,” the film will focus on his formative years at Pembroke College and the influences behind his popular fictional works that include “The Hobbit” and "The Lord of the Rings” series.

Will his friendship with C.S. Lewis be explored? It almost has to be. The Times goes on to point out that Tolkien’s early experiences shaped him and will be examined, “Born in South Africa in 1892 and raised in England, Tolkien went on to serve in the Great War, where many of his closest friends were killed in combat. That experience affected him deeply, and he would come to channel both his friends and their fates into his writing and world-creation.”

The script is currently being penned by Irish-born screenwriter David Gleeson, who is described as “a Tolkien superfan and scholar of sorts about the Middle-earth creator.’ The film is set to be produced by Peter Chernin’s Chernin Entertainment and set up at Fox Searchlight, but there is no word on if the very private Tolkien estate will be involved in the project.

They also go on to point out that audiences are hungry for all things Tolkien, “If audiences love for Tolkien’s work is any indication, though, filmmakers on ‘Tolkien’ will have a popular subject on their hands: Movies based on Tolkien’s literary output, including Jackson’s 'LOTR' series, have grossed nearly $4 billion around the world, with 'Smaug' expected to add significantly to that total.”

Is this a film you'll be heading to theaters to check out or are you happy just watching his books come to life on the screen? The second in “The Hobbit” series of films, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” hits theaters on December 13.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Behind the scenes 'Hobbit' footage!

Fans are clamoring to get as much info and glimpses into the the highly-anticipated Peter Jackson film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, opening Dec. 14.

But, as luck would have it, Warner Bros doesn't want you to have to wait a whole week before getting a taste of the Shire, and have released 20 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage and six clips.

According to Collider.com, "the footage is loaded with some awesome stuff including Peter Jackson directing Andy Serkis as Gollum with Martin Freeman, all the dwarves with Bilbo in Bag End, Elijah Wood and Ian Holm in Bag End, Jackson directing Ian McKellen as Gandalf as well as Jackson directing Christopher Lee!"

This is some really cool stuff for LOTR fans.

If you want to avoid spoilers, don’t watch! (you’re going to watch, aren’t you?)

What are you most excited about seeing in the film? Can Dec. 14 get here fast enough?

-Larissa Mrykalo

Stephen Colbert to appear in 'The Hobbit'?

Courtesy The Hollywood Reporter

As if Stephen Colbert weren't cool enough! If you're a fan of his Comedy Central satirical news show The Colbert Report, you're already aware (or not) that Colbert is a big fan of author J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. He can even read Elvish. Now that is talent and fandom at its best!

So, it's only natural that he make an appearance in one of the popular films, right?

Over at the Hollywood Reporter, they've confirmed Colbert will be making a cameo in one of the Hobbit trilogy films. His role is not yet certain and he will not be in the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, which comes out on Dec. 14

During a recent Playboy interview, Colbert states, "Peter Jackson invited me to the set last year."

"I flew out and watched them shoot some scenes and went to some locations. I saw a 25-minute cut, and it was amazing. Jackson knows I'm a big fan of the films." He teased the interviewer with a smile and a "Could be." when asked if he was involved.

The second film in the Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is slated for release on Dec. 13, 2013 and the third film, The Hobbit: Here and Back Again is heading to theaters only seven months later on July 18, 2014.

A tip of the hat to fanboy Colbert for the cameo - and a wag of the finger for making the rest of us nerds jealous.

Paranormal Pop Culture Fall Movie Preview

Breaking Dawn, final poster
Courtesy Summit

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The fall movie season leading up to Christmas is a cornucopia of films that are a paranormal enthusiast’s dream. Heavy on the ghosts, demons and post-apocalyptic world - one we may soon live in if the Mayans were correct - this season will not disappoint.

Many highly-anticipated films, such as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the final installment of the Twilight Saga will thrill fans and a couple of animated flicks will delight the kiddos (and adults).

So which of these following paranormal, horror or fantasy movies are you excited to see? Which...not so much? Look ahead to see the list...

The Joe Letteri effect: Visual effects wiz on creating 'Apes,' 'Tintin,' 'Hobbit'

BY AARON SAGERS

Courtesy IMDB.com

Pull back the curtain on much of today’s movie magic and you’re likely to find the wizard is visual effects master Joe Letteri.

The resume of Letteri’s effects work reads like a list of some the most popular, and biggest banking, films of the last 20 years: The Abyss; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; Jurassic Park (recently released on Blu-ray); the 1997 special edition of Star Wars; The Lord of the Rings (The Two Towers and The Return of the King); the highest grossing film ever, Avatar. Even films that look great but aren’t remembered as great films, like Van Helsing, X-Men: The Last Stand and 2005’s King Kong survive because of his talents.

The strength of Letteri’s work isn’t just that he brings the visions of directors Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and James Cameron to life, but his creations impress the movie biz’ toughest boss, the audience, and has earned him five Oscars.

Courtesy 20th Century Fox

But Letteri keeps upping his game to keep all parties happy. In 2011, he created the super intelligent apes of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (now out on DVD and Blu-ray), a movie that was initially met with skepticism by fans until that initial trailer showed off the expressive eyes of Caesar – which was courtesy of Letteri. He is also behind the performance capture effects in Spielberg and Jackson’s The Adventures of Tintin and is currently at work on The Hobbit series, the first installment of which is one of the most anticipated films of 2012. Moreover, it's a good bet that Apes will net Letteri another Oscar nod for best visual effects.

Letteri spoke with us about Apes, Tintin and The Hobbit – as well as some of his past work - and opened up about the relationship between technology and actors (after the jump).