Hobbit fans to get sneak peek at Smaug event

Hobbit fans will get a sneak peek at the second film of the trilogy -- "The Desolation of Smaug" -- after director Peter Jackson announced a global live presentation next month. Cinemas in London, New York, Los Angeles and Wellington will be satellite-linked on November 4 for an event including a question and answer session with cast members, Jackson said on his Facebook page.

The time difference means it will be November 5 for Kiwi fans. Jackson did not say who would be involved, but the official Hobbit website on Monday said cast members would include Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans and Andy Serkis. Additional cinemas will be set up in select locations worldwide where fans can gather to watch the event live.

It will also be streamed on the Internet. Jackson, a New Zealander, said further details on locations and timings would be released in coming days on the official Facebook and Twitter pages. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" is not due to be officially premiered until December 13. The first film in the series, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", was released in December last year with the final chapter "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" scheduled to come out in July next year.

According to the Hobbit website, production of the the trilogy has so far cost US$561 million. "An Unexpected Journey" took in just over US$1 billion at the box office.