Orlando's 'Leggy' & More at 'The Hobbit' Fan Event

By

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens in theaters December 13, and fans of the Peter Jackson saga got their first taste of the film's excitement with a global preview event hosted by Anderson Cooper in New York!

Stars of the film, including Orlando Bloom and Richard Armitage (in New York), Evangeline Lilly (in Los Angeles), Andy Serkis (in London) and director Jackson (from Wellington, New Zealand) took part in a Q&A session with fans, who also got to see exclusive footage. Watch the video for the highlights, including the pet name Orlando calls his Elf character, and which Disney icon Evangeline based her character on!

PICS: 'Smaug' and 13 Must-See Movies of 2013

In the second installment of Jackson's adaptation of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy, the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his band of 13 Dwarves continue their quest to reclaim their kingdom from the gold-loving dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Video: Orlando Takes Aim in 'Smaug' Teaser Trailer

Meanwhile, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Extended Edition is available on Digital Download now and on Blu-ray starting today. The final film in the trilogy, The Hobbit: There And Back Again, will open on December 17, 2014.