Though it was already pretty much expected, we now have confirmation from Warner Bros. that an extended edition of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on home video sometime during the fourth quarter of 2013. The idea of extended editions for Jackson’s The Hobbit films is somewhat intriguing, though, given that the adaptation was initially expected to be two films in length before Jackson was granted permission to extend it to a full trilogy.

Hit the jump for more, including details on an “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy.

Though Jackson will be going back to do some more filming to fill out his Hobbit trilogy next year, one has to wonder just how much material can possibly be mined from The Hobbit and J.R.R. Tolkein’s appendicies. Personally, I’d be interested in seeing a “shortened” edition once the trilogy has concluded to see how Jackson originally envisioned The Hobbit arc to play out over two films. Nevertheless, it’s hard to complain when more time spent in Middle Earth is being promised. The timing of the fourth quarter release of An Unexpected Journey’s extended edition is no coincidence, as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters next December.

News of the extended edition came from Warner Bros. Home Video (via Movies.com), which also announced the 2013 release of The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition. Warner Bros. is already releasing a 3-pack Dark Knight Trilogy this December that includes Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises, but I guess they’re getting a head-start on their double-dip. No details are given as to what this the “ultimate” collector’s edition, but I assume some limited edition packaging will be part of the deal.

The set is slated for release sometime during the third quarter of 2013, so you’ll have to decide whether you want to wait a full year to own the trilogy set or if you absolutely need it this December. My guess is you’ll probably get more bang for your buck with the “Ultimate Collector’s Edition,” but who knows.

This home video news comes on the heels of the announcement that a 3D conversion of The Wizard of Oz is being done for a Blu-ray release later next year. Here’s an image of the WB release calendar, via Movies.com: