The Hobbit's director Peter Jackson got mixed reactions when he unveiled 10 minutes of exclusive footage to an audience in America.
The preview, shot at double the normal speed at 48 frames per second, was shown at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas.
The Associated Press praised the footage, calling it "vivid, with grass blades, facial lines and soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced".
Others were not convinced. According to The Los Angeles Times some attendees thought the film was "too accurate".
Although we're unable to get our hands on the much-discussed footage, you'll be pleased to know we’ve got our hands on a few production photos to whet your appetite.
Martin Freeman, better known for his role as lovelorn Tim in The Office, is taking the lead role of Bilbo Baggins.
A handful of Lord of The Rings stars will reclaim their magical roles including Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee (to namedrop a few).
See the production images below.
They’re not the only old faces you can expect to see. As Baggins embarks on his quest for the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, expect to be reunited with swarms of old friends the Goblins and the Orcs.
The film is the first of a two-part series based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel The Hobbit.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due for release on 14 December 2012, while the sequel The Hobbit: There and Back Again is released on 13 December 2013.