The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Case Study 3): Research

1. UK Release Date: 13th December 2013
   
2. Institutions behind the film's production and distribution: Producers: MGM, New Line Cinema and WingNut Films. Distributors: Warner Bros, Cocinsa and Forum Hungary.
3. Production Budget: $250,000,000 and funded by MGM and New Line Cinema
4. Nationality: American
5. Type of production: Large Budget, Hollywood Blockbuster production
6. Connections with other films: The second part to a three-part film series, starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and concluding with The Hobbit: There and Back Again. All three films together act as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, also directed by Peter Jackson.
7. Director: Peter Jackson
8. Star actors: Benedict Cumberbatch (as Smaug/ The Necromancer), Evangeline Lilly (as Tauriel), Richard Armitage (as Thorin), Orlando Bloom (as Legolas), Hugo Weaving (as Elrond), Ian MacKellen (as Gandalf), Martin Freeman (as Bilbo)
9. The film's plot: "The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring." - IMDb
10. The film's audience: Fantasy film lovers of all ages. There is action and violence which would appeal more to adults and teenagers and then some childish humour for younger viewers. However, only true LOTR fans amongst the young, children audience would sit through this 3 hour film, otherwise it would be a dull experience for them.