Believe it or not, the final chapter in director Peter Jackson’s J.R.R. Tolkein saga, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, opens in theaters in just a little over two weeks.  The film revolves around five armies that descend upon the Lonely Mountain in order to claim its now unguarded treasure.  These images show plenty of characters either preparing for battle or in the midst of battle, and it certainly looks to be the darkest film of Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy.  My completionist nature compels me to see The Battle of the Five Armies, but I can’t say I have much excitement or anticipation for the film itself.  I’d love to be pleasantly surprised by the final installment, but the trilogy thus far has been sadly underwhelming so it’s tough to muster any significant emotion about the conclusion of Jackson’s second foray into Middle-earth.  Nevertheless, I’m sure there are those out there who have taken a liking to The Hobbit series, and I imagine they’re eager to see how this thing closes out.

Take a look at the new The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies images after the jump.  The film stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Fry, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom.  The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies opens in theaters on December 17th.

Via Warner Bros.

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Image via New Line Cinema

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Here’s the official synopsis for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.