Writer-Director-Demigod Guillermo del Toro knows how much to reveal about "The Hobbit" and how much to withhold.  He's been pretty tight-lipped but that's partially been due to the long pre-production and it's unwise to release information which will probably shift over the following year.  The pre-production for "The Hobbit" will continue as Del Toro doesn't begin shooting its back-to-back films until late spring 2010 to make a release date of late 2011.  However, he did release some details of his work schedule, his relationship with Peter Jackson, and most interesting, the task of designing the big bad of "The Hobbit", Smaug.  Hit the jump for details.

Speaking with Total Film, Del Toro revealed that the process of creating the design for Smaug took over a year.  Please not that the pictures I've included of Smaug are not from "The Hobbit".  Those pictures aren't bad but Del Toro blows minds.  That's why he was sent here to our planet.

I think one of the designs I'm the proudest of is Smaug. Obviously he took the longest.

It's actually still active: we're finishing his colour palette and a little bit of the texture. But the bulk of the design took about a year, solid. It's because of the unique features of the dragon.

Early in production I came up with a very strong idea that would separate Smaug from every other dragon ever made. The problem was implementing that idea. But I think we've nailed it.

The interview is a must read for anyone who loves Del Toro or "The Hobbit" or movies or life.  Click here to check it out.