New production video for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit has a surprise appearance

A new production video for Peter Jackson’s THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY has just gone on online, featuring another stunning trip through the process of bringing an epic film of this scale to fruition.

Episode 7 journeys throught the various stages, production offices, sets, and wardrobe areas to give you an in-depth, real-world feel for what’s going on behind-the-scenes.  The structure of these videos, which is really loose and fun, without the boring talking head interviews and quick cut snippets of footage, is a testament to Jackson’s understanding for what these production videos provide and the respect he has for those viewing them.

The tour starts here (and stay tuned for a special guest star appearance!):

Here’s the synopsis:

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” follows 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 Oakenshield. 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.”

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY debuts on December 14, 2012, followed by THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN on December 13, 2013.