UPDATE: We’ve added the 2 other covers, as well as pre-order links from Amazon below.
It was only a matter of time before there was news about an extended version of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, and now Bleeding Cool has some information on the upcoming Blu-Ray and DVD release. But before diving into the details, here is a quote from director Peter Jackson about the Extended Editions:
I’m thrilled that the Extended Edition will give fans the opportunity to experience certain key scenes in the film as they were originally shot, as well as an abundance of special features. It’s exciting to present this expanded and enriched version of An Unexpected Journey to allow fans to fully immerse themselves in the movie, before seeing the second part of the trilogy.
The extended version will be 12 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, which might not seem that much compared to the Extended Editions for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films but since The Hobbit is one book being split into three films it would make sense that the longer cut won’t have as much added to it as the other movies. Fans will be able to purchase the extended version as a 3-disc Blu-Ray or 5-disc DVD set, and if you have some extra cash there will also be a more expensive 5-disc 3D Blu-Ray set. For special features, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY will contain “The Appendices” which will have almost nine hours of new bonus features, including commentaries, documentaries and more.
The Appendices – A multi-part chronological history of the filming of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, covering pre-production in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, the boot camp training for the main cast, the work done on set chronologically through the three shooting blocks and in the world of its digital effects.
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY received mixed reviews, but overall most people were pleased with the film and I’m interested in seeing if the Extended Edition will become the definitive version for fans of the film like what happened with the longer cuts for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films.
So when will you be able to own the Extended Editions? THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY will be available for download on October 22nd and you’ll be able to purchase the Blu-Ray or DVD on November 5th, 2013.