The first trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has hit the Internet. The film is the first of two planned to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 fantasy classic to life on screen.

Directed by Peter Jackson, who previously brought Oscar fame to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit is a prequel to that trilogy. Many of the same actors from Lord of the Rings appear in The Hobbit.

The Hobbit won't be released in theaters until Dec. 14 2012 -- almost one year away. The trailer will hit theaters today, however, running before Tintin. The film will also be in 3D.

As one Hollywood critic said, the 3D trailer is just cinematic enough that buying a ticket for Tintin just to see it might not be a bad decision. according to CinemaBlend.com.

See the trailer below:

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