The Hobbit is a film series consisting of three high fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson. They are based on the novel The Hobbit by J. Tolkienwith large portions of the trilogy inspired by the appendices to The Return of the Kingwhich expand on the story told in The Hobbitas well as new material and characters written especially for the films. Together they act as a prequel to Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The screenplay was written by Fran WalshPhilippa BoyensJackson, and Guillermo del Torowho was originally chosen to direct before his departure from the project. The films take place in the fictional world of Middle-earth sixty years before the beginning of The Lord of the Ringsand follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins Martin Freemanwho is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey Ian McKellen to accompany thirteen dwarvesled by Thorin Oakenshield Richard Armitageon a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. The...