On 4 December Benedict Cumberbatch took part in a Twitter Q&A with @thehobbitmovie to promote The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Here’s what the fans asked him and Benedict’s answers:

@dr_mikki: if you were accumulating your own dragon’s hoard, what would you want as the prize of your collection?

BC: The Ring. The invincible dragon’s got to rule them all surely.

@_LauraHolmes_: How would you describe Martin Freeman in 3 words?

BC: Smart. Original. Mod.

@RachelFerron_TW: how much do you love your fans?

BC: More than I can say in a tweet.

@vereentjoeng: Cumbercupcake: Benedict in Red Velvet Suit on Red Velvet cupcake yum!



BC: An astonishing addition to the edible collection. One day, I will have to eat myself.

@JenCappelli: Who would win in a sass-off? Smaug or Martin? ….can dragons give the middle claw?

BC: Martin, obviously. Smaug gets pretty clumsy in a rage until he flies. Then, I suppose he might have time to give the birdy.

@CeceCalabrese: Do you fancy a go at the Director’s Chair?

BC: Yes, one day.

@b_smoraes: Is there a person (alive or dead) you would like to spend a day with? who?



BC: My grandfathers. I never met either.

@britishmenRhot: Which felt weirder on your face? Neuron cream or motion capture dots.



BC: Neutron cream… better for your skin 😉

@highsockmojo: what/who did you use as your inspiration for Smaug?

BC: My father read the book to me as a 7-year old child.

@Cholesteroldoc: What’s your favorite pie? Or are you a cake loving dragon? #CumberCakeCollective



BC: Goat pie or dwarf cake.

@rosiescot: If you lived in Middle Earth, would you like to be a Hobbit, Elf, Wizard (yes, staff, beard, & all) or a Dwarf? X

BC: I’m quite happy being a dragon, thanks. Oh, and the Necromancer – a disembodied spirit of evil. Less time in the make-up chair!

@holmesexuals Is twitter treating you okay?

BC: Yes, so let’s break it.

@swiftsherlock what was your favourite line in the movie?

BC: I am… death.

@PondsAt221B What kind of music do you think Smaug would enjoy?

BC: Liberace. A little bit of Burt Bacharach. And Enya.

@__mystique If you could play any cartoon character/superhero/villain from your childhood, who would you play??

BC: Puff the Magic Dragon.

@tennanteleven what would be your ideal christmas present?

BC: Some free time. And a sea view.

@maybeginger if you could master one other skill (apart from your glorious acting), what would it be?

BC: You’re very kind. Flying would be nice. Piano and French are more realistic though.

@fondueatspeedys would you rather breathe fire or be able to fly?

BC: Fly. Fly. Fly.And maybe fart fire while flying. To fly faster.

Instagram video of Benedict thanking the fans for the Q&A