There are movies that are going to hit in 2012, and then there is The Hobbit.

With the first part of the impending two-part saga set to bow late this year, we are slowly getting more and more information and, in this case, photos from the project, and while I’m not a real big fan of the franchise, it’s almost impossible not to get excited for this sucker.

The USA Today has a new photo from the film, and while it’s nothing more than Martin Freeman as Bilbo, anything from this sucker is worthy of note, let alone a rather nice-looking snapshot of our lead.

As mentioned above, I’m not a real fan of the franchise (I have gone back and actually quite liked the first films, something I’d have laughed at a few years ago), but I do have huge expectations for this thing. The cast and crew here are impeccable as always, and while the first trailer was almost laughable, there is a ton to be excited for.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey arrives in theaters on December 14, 2012, with its sequel, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, slated for December 13, 2013.

What do you think?

[Source: USA Today via ComingSoon]