Posted Tue Aug 5, 2014 at 08:30 AM PDT by Tom Landy
The inevitable extended cut of Peter Jackson's Middle-Earth epic has been set for November 4.
In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Extended Edition' Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - 3D: Extended Edition' Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for November 4.
A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, this extended cut of the second film in The Hobbit Trilogy includes 25 minutes of extra film footage that extends individual scenes, making this the must-see, definitive version for fans.
The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all–a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself: the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).
The releases will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtracks, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary with Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens; New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2 - Travel with Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand, transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-Earth; The Appendices Part 9 & 10: The next two installments in Jackson's sprawling "Appendices" production documentary showcase an immersive multi-part history of the filming of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, covering preproduction in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, training, the work done on set and in the world of its digital effects; and more!
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $35.99 and the Blu-ray 3D is $54.98.
You can find the latest specs for 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Extended Edition' and 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - 3D: Extended Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're both indexed under November 4.
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