(Cover) - EN Movies - The Hobbit movies will be called The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again, it's been announced.

The films are a two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel and provide the prequel to award-winning trilogy The Lord of the Rings, and are being helmed by Peter Jackson.

The director, MGM and New Line have been under pressure to confirm what the pictures will be called, and have now revealed they are titled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. The first movie will hit screens on December 14 next year, while the second is slated for release on December 13 2013.

The films are being shot in New Zealand and already have a stellar cast. Among those appearing are Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Sir Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett.

The movies are two of the most hotly anticipated at the moment, and Peter has taken to his Facebook page to discuss them with fans.

He was asked if the White Council a group of elves, wizards and other creatures who regularly meet to ensure Middle Earth is kept safe and sometimes have to fight evil will be involved in the upcoming releases, and was happy to discuss the possibility.

"I'm not going to say just what and when, but I will confirm that both the White Council and Dol Guldur will feature in the movies. And not just in one scene either. Just how to visualise it has been a challenge, but fortunately [artists] Alan Lee and John Howe went crazy with ideas, and it should look pretty cool," he said. (C) Cover Media