The Hobbit (film series) was written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro, who was originally chosen to direct before his departure from the project. The films take place in the fictional world of Middle-earth sixty years before the beginning of "The Lord of the Rings", and follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) to accompany thirteen dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). The films also expand upon certain elements from the novel and
Works inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien (1980); earlier they had made a TV animation of "The Hobbit" (1977). "The Lord of the Rings" was adapted as a trilogy of films (2001–03), directed by Peter Jackson. "The Hobbit" was also adapted as a trilogy (2012–14), with some elements adapted from "The Return of the King"'s Appendices. The split of Tolkien's works between Tolkien Enterprises and the Tolkien Estate means that none of the Tolkien Enterprises' products can include source material from outside "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings", and therefore a film or stage version of "The Silmarillion" is highly unlikely. Comparisons have been made