The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is one of the three fantasy adventure films, based on three volume novel ''The Hobbit" by  J. R. R. Tolkien. The Hobbit is directed, produced and adapted by Peter Jackson. Jackson's three Hobbit films together are imagined as a prequel to Jackson's earlier film adaptation of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novel.

Several actors reprise their roles from The Lord of the Rings, including Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, and Hugo Weaving, as well as actors whose characters did not appear in the novel, such as Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, and Orlando Bloom.

The most significant new involvement in the series is the participation of Guillermo del Toro, originally chosen to direct the films, as co-writer, but left because of ongoing delays. Jackson has stated that del Toro's "creative DNA" will remain in the scripts and designs.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is scheduled to premiere on 2 December 2013 in Los Angeles, and will be released internationally from 11 December 2013. 

Most of filming was finished during 2012, ending in July 2012, but during May 2013, additional shooting for the film and the sequel began in New Zealand, which lasted 10 weeks. 

Peter Jackson has provided the first details about the second film in the series at a live event held on 24 March 2013. The access code was attached to the DVD editions of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The live-broadcast event revealed some plot details; Jackson said that the role of Tauriel, acted by Evangeline Lilly, is a part of the elven guard and a bodyguard of the Elvenking, Thranduil. In addition, he revealed a scene from the film in which Gandalf and Radagast the Brown search for the Necromancer fortress and discover that the Ringwraiths have been released from their graves.

The first trailer for the film was released in early June. A video blog containing behind the scenes footage was released on YouTube. Later a second trailer was released but was just a slightly abridged version of the first.

"The making of "The Hobbit" trilogy has already cost Peter Jackson and his team over half a billion dollars, which is double the amount spent on the director's trademark series - "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, according to Variety.

The new trilogy, with its second film "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" which is slated to release in December, has cost an astounding $561 million so far. This was revealed from the financial documents filed online by New Zealand's Companies Office that placed the cost at NZ$676 million" - http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/511841/20131007/hobbit-lord-rings-trilogy-peter-jackson-cost.htm

Movie Details: 

Production Budget: $250,000,000
Theatrical Release: December 13th, 2013 (Wide) by Warner Bros.
                                  December 13th, 2013 (IMAX) by Warner Bros.
Franchise: Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings
Source: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre: Adventure
Production Method: Animation/Live Action
Creative Type: Fantasy

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pjacksonwingnutfilms?feature=watch - On a youtube channel of Peter Jackson you can watch the production diary which he created to keep up to date with his audience. 

http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html -This is the link to their official website, where they are showing trailers, sneak peeks and worldwide release date.

https://www.facebook.com/TheHobbitMovie -This is a link to their official facebook page, but this page they were able to keep up to date with their audience and also promote a film.