Only five months until Boxing Day, which means five months until the Australian release of The Hobbit.

Filming wrapped up earlier this month, and Howard Shore will record the film’s soundtrack with the London Philharmonic Orchestra next month.

The Lord of the Ring trilogy was produced at a cost of about $300 million. The Hobbit has a $500 million budget. In other words, Peter Jackson received an extra $150 million to throw around on each instalment of the The Hobbit! The result must be stunning.