Warner Bros. has released a large batch of high-resolution images from director Peter Jackson’s second film in his The Hobbit trilogy. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventures of Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the band of dwarves as they move forward on their quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, all the while Gandalf (Ian McKellen) investigates a disturbing presence that may be returning to Middle Earth. Smaug introduces a host of new characters like Bard (Luke Evans), the Master of Lake-town (Stephen Fry), and the elves Thranduil (Lee Pace) and Tauriel (Evangeline Lily), but the film also sees the return of Lord of the Rings favorite Legolas (Orlando Bloom). Moreover, Benedict Cumberbatch brings to life the titular dragon Smaug in what’s sure to be one intense confrontation.

Hit the jump to peruse the new high-resolution images. The film also stars Richard Armitage, Sylvester McCoy, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Graham McTavish, Michael Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Mikael Persbrandt, Ken Stott, and Aidan Turner. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens in 2D, 3D, IMAX 3D, and HFR 3D on December 13th.

Click on any image for high-resolution.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: