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Some movies like to release their images by email, some by post, but the makers of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug have gone one better.

Peter Jackson and co have revealed the first full image of the titular scaled villain by painting him onto a plane.

People across New Zealand and indeed the world will be asking: "Is it a bird, is it a plane?" while others will be answering: "No, it's Smaug - well, yes, it's technically a plane but it looks like the giant dragon."

The second film of the Hobbit trilogy will pick up from last year's An Unexpected Journey.

The Peter Jackson adaptation will see Bilbo Baggins - played by Martin Freeman - continue his quest to slay the huge dragon, voiced by his Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch.

* The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is released in cinemas on December 11

Check out our exclusive gallery of snaps from the upcoming movie below.