Very First Picture From THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES

Gandalf and Bard star in this first picture of THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES. While a few of you Fantasy Fanboys might have a few choice words for director Peter Jackson, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this latest batch of movies. Are they as glorious as The Lord of the Rings? Well, that’s not an easy question to answer, but I’m almost certain that… no, they’re not. Still, in a vacuum, without the heated glow of those original titanic blockblusters bearing down on The Hobbit films, I’d say Jackson’s new trilogy is one of the best in cinema history. Certainly one of the Top 3 trilogies of the Fantasy genre.

In other words, check that privilege, LOTR fanboys! In any case, here’s that super sweet first photo from The Battle of Five Armies.

The final flick in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit Trilogy, BOFA debuts this December. Be prepared for a heavy handful of hacking and slashing, some insanely long winded duels, and languid “awe inspiring” staring contests between Thorin and the horizon. Seriously, how often must characters in Middle-Earth stare into the distance, especially with slow-motion.