The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Summary of Movie
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a 2012 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is the first of a three-part film adaptation of the 1937 novel the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, to be followed by the Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again, due for theatrical release in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The three films together will act as prequels to Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

The story is set in Middle-earth 60 years before the Lord of the Rings, and portions of the film are adapted from the appendices to Tolkien's the Return of the King novel. An Unexpected Journey tells the tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) to accompany 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on a quest across Middle-earth to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the Dragon. The film premiered in New Zealand on November 28, 2012 and was released internationally on December 12, 2012.

The film's screenplay was written by Peter Jackson, his longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens (who also co-wrote the Lord of the Rings), and Guillermo del Toro, who was originally chosen to direct the film before leaving the project in 2010.

The Hobbit has grossed over $1 billion at the box office, surpassing both the Desolation of Smaug and the Two Towers nominally. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. It was also nominated for three BAFTA Awards.

For more information about the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, visit here.

Season 3

 * Episode 20 (72) MADvent Calendar: The MADvent Calendar announced that Joe Biden made a cameo appearance on Parks and Recreation before starring as Gandalf in the Hobbit.
 * Episode 21 (73)' 'Hip Hop Hobbit: The film gets spoofed along with the Hip Hop Dance Experience.

Season 4

 * Episode 2 (80)' 'Wreck-It Gandalf: Gandalf the Grey gets spoofed along with Disney's Wreck-It Ralph.