With a combined revenue of close to 3 billion dollars at the box office worldwide, Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy (2012-14) occupies a secure place (three, actually, as each film is rated separately) among the top 35 highest grossing films of all time (cf. “All Time Box Office”, n.p.). The films were a world-wide success, garnered awards, produced an avalanche of merchandise and tie-ins, and managed to extend the Middle-earth film franchise beyond the scope of its original entry, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03).