Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Official Site: thehobbit.com Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) are joining the worldwide celebration of Tolkien Week with the debut of the highly anticipated theatrical trailer for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" on September 19, 2012. The first in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson, who previously brought to the screen the blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy. The week-long Tolkien Week celebration encompasses the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit novel and the worldwide celebration of Hobbit Day.

(L-r) Ken Stott as Balin, John Callen as Oin, William Kircher as Bifur, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield (center) and Graham McTavish as Dwalin. Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Entertainment. © 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

The American Tolkien Society first proclaimed Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week in 1978, though Hobbit Day celebrations existed prior to its official recognition. Tolkien fans the world over celebrate by having parties and feasts emulating Hobbit celebrations as described in the books. The new trailer is set to debut on broadcast and online media on September 19, 2012, then roll out in theaters around the world throughout the day. The first satellite feed will be coordinated worldwide at 14:00 Greenwich Time; the second satellite feed at 17:00 Greenwich Time. Satellite coordinates are TBA. The celebration will continue on Friday, September 21, with activities related to the 75th anniversary of the book`s publication, which occurred on that same day in 1937. On Saturday, September 22, fans around the world will recognize Hobbit Day—marking the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, the Hobbits who are the unlikely heroes of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, respectively—with Hobbit Day parties and celebrations. Bilbo and Frodo were both said to be born on the same day of different years, Bilbo in the year 2890 and Frodo in the year of 2968 in the Third Age (1290 and 1368, respectively, in Shire-reckoning, the Hobbits` own calendar). Throughout early September, the Facebook page for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will roll out a series of features and ideas to create a fun, communal experience leading up to Tolkien Week, including "How to Throw a Hobbit Party" instructions, a "Fan of the Week" contest, and a special app on which fans will be able to share and collect recipes inspired by Middle-earth. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis) encounters Bilbo Baggins. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment. © 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before "The Lord of the Rings," which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." The screenplay for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. Under Jackson`s direction, "The Hobbit" Trilogy has been shot in 3D 48 frames-per-second and will be released in High Frame Rate (HFR) 3D, other 3D formats, IMAX and 2D. Under Jackson`s direction, "The Hobbit" Trilogy has been shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Production has taken place at Jackson`s own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and the second and third films of the trilogy—"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again"—are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will be released worldwide beginning December 14, 2012, with "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," the second film, releasing beginning December 13, 2013, and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the third film, slated for release on July 18, 2014.

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment. © 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

About New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema continues to be one of the most successful independent film companies. For more than 40 years, its mission has been to produce innovative, popular, profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line produced the Oscar®-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which is a landmark in the history of film franchises. New Line Cinema is a division of Warner Bros.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. ("MGM") is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and distribution of films and television content globally. The company owns one of the world`s deepest libraries of premium film and television programming. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international television channels, including MGM-branded channels in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Germany. For more information, visit mgm.com.