Undoubtedly one of the main highlights of the new Hobbit movie will be the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch as the evil dragon Smaug.
These interesting behind-the scenes images of Cumberbatch were posted on Flickr by user Tolkienerd.
The stills were taken from a “making-of” featurette that was included in the ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ extended edition DVD and feature Cumberbatch really getting into the role of the dragon.
They’re pretty intense:
Cumberbatch had previously spoken about his conversation with director Peter Jackson about doing the motion-capture:
“I went, ‘I know what you’re going to say: I’m a biped mammal, I’m not a serpent with tiny claws or legs. I don’t have a tail, I can’t breathe fire or fly, and the rest of the things that aren’t dragonlike about me. But I do think in my imagination I’ve got something which might at least push the WETA animation into a direction.’”
“He went, “Come down and play.”
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will be in cinemas on December 11th. We cannot wait!
Screengrabs via: Flickr and io9
