THE HOBBIT 'An Unexpected Journey' Art Print by WETA

The first film in director Peter Jackson's upcoming trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, and Andy Serkis as Gollum and is scheduled for theatrical release December 14, 2012.

The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Bilbo Baggins doesn't know it yet, but as he gazes across his beloved Hobbiton and breathes the chill morning air, his life is about to change. Drastically.

An adventurous spirit is not a quality prized among Hobbit folk, so the formerly respectable Bilbo’s sudden departure comes as much as a surprise to him as it is to his neighbours. He blames it on the Tookish blood in his veins. That side of the family was always the most odd and taken to unhobbity impulses of curiosity. And indeed Bilbo will come to count on every ounce of Took in him to save himself and his companions once the journey begins.

The moment has been expertly captured by Gus Hunter - long time Weta conceptual designer who started on The Lord Of The Rings trilogy alongside Jeremy Bennett and was an early adopter of the digital painting techniques Weta uses today. Read more about Gus in our Meet the Crew interview.

The external dimensions of the print are 23.2 in x 11.7 in (590 mm x297 mm) and the printed area is 20.9 in x 8.9 in (530 mm x 235 mm). A lovely cinematic format.