The first three images from The Hobbit have been released online, two of which look to be actual stills from the movie while the other includes director Peter Jackson, you know…directing stuff!

The most exciting of the three is obviously our first official look at star Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins with a few friends in the background. The second image is of Ian McKellen in his return to the role of Gandalf the Grey, and the third is of Jackson talking to Freeman on the set.

You can see the first official images from The Hobbit via Entertainment Weekly by clicking on over to the other side now, and the first of the two-part film will be arriving during the holidays, 2012.

Director Peter Jackson has made the last major casting announcement for his t adaptation of The Hobbit, and one of the new announcements is causing a bit of a stir.

Jackson announced that LOST star Evangeline Lilly has been cast as Tauriel, a Woodland Elf whose name means “daughter of Mirkwood.” Jackson shares his excitement in Lilly being the one who will “bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life,” but says the character is a new one, leading many to wonder why the director would add a new character to J.R.R. Tolkien‘s classic tale.

That last two major roles in Peter Jackson‘s two–part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s classic story, The Hobbit, have now officially been filled.

Production on the movie is already underway in New Zealand but it’s being reported that Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing the feared dragon, Smaug. The actor was already part of the cast, voicing the role of Necromancer, but will now also provide the voice for the infamous dragon as well as bring it to life via the magic of performance capture.

Ubisoft demonstrated gameplay at E3 this week for The Adventures of Tintin: The Game, the tie-in for the upcoming animated film produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Steven Spielberg.

The presentation began with the film trailer. This was followed by a recorded introduction by Spielberg and Jackson, proudly describing the game as “very cinematic” and faithful to the film. Following that, the lead Ubisoft developer asked us to don our 3D glasses, and fired up the demo.

Most of the gameplay shown took place aboard the SS Karaboudjan, a cargo ship Tintin has stowed away aboard, as he dodges volleys from smugglers who are trying to get him off the ship, Later, Tintin must escape the sinking cargo ship, as rising ocean waters threaten to drown him. These levels play as side-scrolling platformer, but the 3D effect make the set pieces feel so deep and impressive, it nearly counters the linear gameplay.

Pretty much every actor who portrayed a popular character in director Peter Jackson‘s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy has been rumored to be coming back in one aspect or another for the two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s earlier classic, The Hobbit.

Many of the characters who are said to be returning had absolutely nothing to do with Tolkien’s Hobbit, and were only introduced later on in Rings. Nevertheless, one must understand that in addition to making a strong adaptation of The Hobbit, Jackson also must try and secure the fanbase he had from LOTR“”including those who never read the books from which these movies are made.

And so, Jackson made one of the rumored names official today with the announcement that Orlando Bloom has signed on to reprise his role as the elven archery master, Legolas.