Fans of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” got another teasing morsel of what’s to come on December 13th. We began waiting after floating out of the first showing of “Unexpected Journey” last year, and now the heavy marketing for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” has begun! Today, a new trailer for the highly anticipated second installment of the Hobbit trilogy was released, and it is certainly glorious!!

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” picks right up where “Unexpected Journey” ended, right after Gandalf, Bilbo and the rest of the crew escape from the orcs. There are some new twists to be noted in the next installment. The two I found most interesting are an introduction to some Elven characters yet unseen. One is the Elvin king Thranduil, played by Lee Pace. You may know Pace from my favorite show of all time, “Pushing Daisies“.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G41MjEgAKo

The other is Tauriel, an elf woman, created especially for the movie. There are some hints that there could be a little elf love bubbling up between her and Legolas. “Legolas has grown very fond of you,” an unseen voice tells Tauriel. “Do not give him hope where there is none.”

This new elf lady is played by Evangeline Lilly from my second favorite show of all time, “Lost“. Remember Kate and her endless inner struggle to choose between Jack and Sawyer?

Like its predecessor, “An Unexpected Journey”, “The Desolation of Smaug” was shot in 3-D at 48 frames per second and will be released in 2-D, High Frame Rate 3-D, other 3-D formats and IMAX. “Desolation of Smaug” looks like it’s on track to be another smash hit for director Peter Jackson, so put it on your calendar: December 13th!!

Image via youtube