The Hobbit trailer has hobbled onto the internet. And Martin Freeman has never looked happier.

"I am a Baggins! Of Bag End!" he huffs, refusing to go anywhere.

Two minutes and thirty-two seconds later, and he's upped sticks, left The Shire, met a company of plate-throwing dwarves, picked up a sword and crossed paths with... well, you know who. (No, not Voldemort, silly.)

And the best bit? Not the wonderful set design that looks completely consistent with Lord of the Rings, not the nifty camerawork of Peter Jackson, not the return of Ian McKellen's Gandalf, Richard Armitage singing or the promising visual effects - it's the fact that Jackson knows just how much to reveal.

There's internet fan hype. There's pointlessly dissecting The Dark Knight Rises trailer. There's releasing previews of previews of teasers of trailers for films that aren't out until 2012. And then there's the perfectly judged first trailer for The Hobbit.

Read on to see the full video - you can see the actual film this time next year.

As any listener of the Wittertainment podcast should be aware, yesterday saw the premiere and online release of Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins (trailer over here).

 

A film born out of an in-joke bred from a film review, it's a spoof of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. But writer, director, producer, and Kermode and Mayo fan Jeremy Dylan has never seen Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. And it shows - mainly because Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins (or BSATCOP) is nothing like Christopher Columbus' family adventure. It's more fun. And it has more penguins.

Director: Jeremy Dylan
Cast: Andrew Griscti, Catherine Davies, Dorian Newstead, Alec Doomadgee, Stephen Fry
Release Date: Available now online

Love. Magic. Skiffle. From writer-director Jeremy Dylan, Benjamin Sniddlegrass is the story of a nerdy skiffle-loving redhead from Cockfosters, who discovers he's a wizard.

He journeys to Australia and is taught magic under the watchful eye of mentor Pentangle and filmmaker Werner Herzog, while a romance blooms with fringed smartarse Scarlett McKenna. Soon, he must battle the evil gorilla-faced Lord Emmerich.

But what is the secret of the cauldron of penguins?

Jared Harris will play Professor Moriarty in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes 2.

After months of speculation, Mad Men's Harris has signed on as Sherlock's nemesis for Ritchie's sequel. Jared, son of Richard Harris, is best know for his role as Lane Pryce in the TV series. He's also appeared in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Igby Goes Down.

The role of Moriarty was originally rumoured to be played by Brad Pitt after Sherlock Holmes' teaser ending. But the subtle and excellently likeable Harris has taken the part in what is a brilliant and wise casting decision - his stuffy Brit is fast becoming one of Mad Men's best characters. He could easily be an arch villain. Just look at those eyebrows.

Harris joins Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, both returning along with director Guy Ritchie. The cast also includes Noomi Rapace and Stephen Fry as Sherlock's brother, Mycroft.

For those doubting Jared's acting abilities, I remind you that he is the man who recently held a steak to his crotch on national television. And then did a great impression of a Japanese onlooker in the Godzilla movie rip-off Gamera. He drank heavily throughout both.

Now that Noomi Rapace is in on the sequel, Sherlock Holmes has got itself someone to play Mycroft Holmes. That someone is Stephen Fry.

Yes, the actor, comedian, writer and all-round King of Twitter has signed on to play the sleuth's older brother in Sherlock Holmes 2. Guy Ritchie's sequel will include Sherlock's mysterious sibling, which the excellent Mark Gatiss recently played in BBC's Sherlock, who is often portrayed as wiser than Sherlock, and more involved with the government's shadier dealings.

Fry made the announcement on Danny Baker's BBC radio show. The role sees Stephen continue to build a reputation in America following his TV series Stephen Fry in America and occasional appearances on US show Bones. He joins the returning stars of the first Sherlock Holmes movie, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Written by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, Sherlock Holmes 2 starts production next month. The aim is to have it all packaged and shipped out for Friday 16th December next year. By which time we'll hopefully know who will be playing Moriarty...