Advance Tickets for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” Go on Sale in the U.S. on Thursday, November 21, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time

Moviegoers who are eagerly anticipating the December 13 release of the epic fantasy adventure "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," will be able to secure their seats nearly a month in advance when tickets go on sale, online and in theaters in the U.S., on Thursday, November 21 at 9:00 AM ET. Fans will have the opportunity to see the movie first at midnight on Thursday, December 12.

"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), is the highly anticipated second film in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Midnight showings for the first film in the Trilogy, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," took in $13 million in the U.S. The film ultimately went on to gross over a billion dollars worldwide.

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, director of "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, comes "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film also stars Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Graham McTavish, Adam Brown, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Manu Bennett and Lawrence Makoare.

The screenplay for "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo Del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced 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 Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

The creative behind-the-scenes team is led by director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, editor Jabez Olssen and composer Howard Shore. The costumes are designed by Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of armor, weapons, creatures and special makeup, which are once again being made by the award-winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital is taking on the visual effects for the film, led by senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri. The hair and makeup designer is Peter Swords King. The conceptual designers are John Howe and Alan Lee. The visual effects supervisor is Eric Saindon, with David Clayton & Eric Reynolds serving as animation supervisors.

Under Jackson's direction, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" was shot in 3D 48 frames-per-second and will be released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX. Production took place at Jackson's own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. Post production took place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." The film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.

www.thehobbit.com