Peter Jackson has brought his crew and a great deal of his cast back to New Zealand this week for the final pick-up shots on both The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, arriving in December of this year, and the final installment The Hobbit: There and Back Again, which debuts December 2014. While Peter promises a video blog in the weeks ahead, he did offer up a set photo featuring him alongside Ian McKellen in costume as Gandalf, along with a short message.

"Back on set for our last Hobbit pick ups. Our last ever Tolkien pick ups, in fact. It's going to be an intense few weeks, but we're looking forward to shooting some powerful scenes with our great cast. Our next blog is coming soon!?"