THE HOBBIT (Update)

• THE HOBBIT

Fan made Smaug

If you've read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, then youprobably can't wait to see how Peter Jackson plans to bring Smaug the Dragon tolife on the big screen.

As we recently found out, English thespian BenedictCumberbatch was chosen to undertake the physical role of the scaly antagonist,and it sounds like he's already well on his way to preparing for the arduousmotion-capture experience.

"I'm physicalizing him as a dragon," saysCumberbatch. "I'm not just doing the voiceover, so it'll be a physicalrole which I'm no stranger to... I've already started working out and doingvarious movement exercises to get myself limber for that all-important jumpsuit with balls on it, otherwise known as motion-capture. But I can't wait, I'mreally excited."

According to Total Film, the actor begins filming inJanuary.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled to hittheaters on December 14, 2012.