The Many Faces of Benedict Cumberbatch for ‘The Hobbit 2′ Motion Capture

We got our first real taste of Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the dragon Smaug in 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' trailers, but the star also used motion-capture technology to help bring the creature to life, which yielded some intense facial acting. 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Extended Edition, to be released on Blu-ray and UltraViolet this November 5, includes footage of Cumberbatch in action, and we've got a preview for you.

Flickr user TolkeinNerd revealed screenshots from 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Extended Edition, available to download today on iTunes, revealing exactly what Cumberbatch had to do to get the dragon's movements just right.

"You just have to lose your s--t on a carpeted floor, in a place that looks a little bit like a mundane government building," he told Total Film last year on donning the mo-cap suit. "It was just me as well, with four static cameras and all the sensors. Then the boys at Weta work their magic … It’s very freeing, once you put the suit on and the sensors. I’ve never felt less encumbered, actually. And you have to be. You have to be free."

We'll get to see the fruits of his labor when 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' hits theaters this December 13. In the meantime, check out some photos of Cumberbatch's motion-capture efforts for Smaug, and be sure to pre-order your Blu-ray/UltraViolet copy of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Extended Edition, or download it digitally on iTunes starting today.