Last year saw director Peter Jackson decide to make a trio of prequels charting the adventure of Bilbo Baggins prior to the events of the excellent Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was the first of these prequels to be released last December and received favourable reviews with some criticising Jackson’s decision to make three films out of a small book.

But dedicated fans of the 2012 installment will be pleased to know that the teaser trailer for the second film The Desolation of Smaug has just premiered online.

Following on from the events of An Unexpected Journey, the film sees the reluctant hobbit Bilbo (Martin Freeman) continue to assist the band of dwarves led by Thorin (Richard Armitage) as they carry on their epic quest to reclaim the dwarf kingdom from the dragon Smaug. In the meantime, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) travels to the south to confront the Necromancer.

After the numerous appearances from Lord of the Rings actors like Elijah Wood (Frodo), Andy Serkis (Gollum), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel) and Christopher Lee (Saruman) in the first film, the nostalgia continues with Orlando Bloom reprising his role as Elvish warrior Legolas in this turnout.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek into Darkness) voices Smaug with Evangeline Lilly (Lost, Real Steel) playing the female elf Tauriel, an original character specifically written for this film.

The Desolation of Smaug will be released in cinemas on December 13th with the final film There and Back Again due out the following Christmas.