'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Clips

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,' Peter Jackson's second installment in the new film trilogy, will soon be upon us. While stars recently flocked to the red carpet at the world premiere, Warner Bros. released new clips we've merely glimpsed in the trailers.

Part of the allure of 'The Desolation of Smaug' are the cast members making their first appearances in the 'Hobbit' films -- Luke Evans of 'Fast and Furious 6' takes the role of Bard the Bowman, Lee Pace of the upcoming 'Guardians of the Galaxy' assumed Elvenking Thranduil, 'LOST' star Evangeline Lilly portrays the elf Tauriel (created exclusively for the film), and Orlando Bloom reprises Legolas from 'The Lord of the Rings.' All the aforementioned can be seen in the first batch of 'The Desolation of Smaug' clips, although not Smaug himself, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch of 'Star Trek Into Darkness.'

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' continues the adventures of Bilbo (Martin Freeman), Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the band of dwarfs to reclaim the lost dwarf kingdom of Erebor and gold claimed by the evil dragon Smaug. Some of the creatures they'll have to grapple with this time are some pretty enlarged spiders, a shape shifter and those pesky elves, of course.

The film is scheduled for release on December 13, and you can preview what's to come in the clips above and below, courtesy of Warner Bros., IGN and EW.