- J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit in the early 1930s, originally as a bedtime story for his children.
- While Bilbo Baggins is the central hobbit hero, Gandalf the wizard sets the adventure in motion with a group of 13 dwarves.
- The Hobbit introduces the “One Ring,” connecting directly to the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy.
- Gollum, one of the book’s most memorable characters, was inspired by Tolkien’s passion for riddles and old folklore.
- Although the book is relatively short, filmmakers expanded it into three blockbuster movies, each filled with rich detail and new material.
- The Hobbit movies used cutting-edge technology, including 48 frames-per-second filming, for ultra-realistic action.
- Martin Freeman played Bilbo, while Ian McKellen returned as Gandalf, connecting both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films.
- Surprisingly, The Hobbit book has never gone out of print since 1937 and has been translated into over 50 languages.
- Howard Shore composed sweeping musical scores for both trilogies, making Middle-earth sound instantly recognizable.
- The movies featured over 800 elaborate Hobbit feet, which actors wore daily to achieve authentic looks.
- Weta Workshop in New Zealand constructed detailed props, armor, and set pieces, bringing Tolkien’s vision to life.
- Many Hobbiton sets still exist in Matamata, New Zealand, drawing travelers for tours and photo opportunities.
- Andy Serkis not only performed as Gollum but also directed several second-unit action scenes on set.
- Tolkien invented several languages for Middle-earth, including Elvish, which fans around the world still study.
- The riddles exchanged between Bilbo and Gollum in the book remain legendary for their wit and playful danger.