Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The

The Hobbit adventure continues with Bilbo and the dwarves determined to reclaim their homeland from Smaug.  

  • Starring: Martin Freeman, Hugo Weaving
  • Director(s): Peter Jackson
  • Producer(s): Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner
  • Screenwriter(s): Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh
  • Distributor: Warner Brothers
  • Animal Coordinator: Equine Film
  • Release Date: Friday, December 13, 2013

Featured Animal Action

In the scene where we see a black cat sitting on countertop in a bar, the trainer placed the cat on the countertop and elicited reactions with a clicker.

In the scene where we see two bullocks and a couple goats in the shed where the hobbits were sleeping, trainers brought two bullocks and two goats onto the set for rehearsal to familiarize them with the actors.

In the scene where we see actors mount their horses before fleeing the scene, horseback riders were stunt riders or experienced actors who were skilled at riding, mounting and dismounting. All running/galloping scenes were well choreographed, and actors used caution while on and near animals. Whenever horses were seen tied to posts/fences, they were attached to lead ropes tied to posts.

In the scene where the actors sit in barrels of dead fish, production provided documentation for the dead fish.

Due to limited resources, American Humane Association did not monitor any of the dog, bird and mice action.