It wasn't really a diva-ruling that the sequel to 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey won't be holding a panel at this year's Comic-Con: in his vlog, Jackson acknowledges that fans attending Comic-Con will be let down but time constraints and a busy schedule mean it just won't be possible. However, the Kiwi director apologises with a special behind-the-scenes production video that gives Hobbit fans an exclusive look into the world of The One Ring.

Peter Jackson
Director Peter Jackson Has Good News & Bad News For Fans.

On his YouTube channel, Jackson introduces the production diary with some "disappointing" news: he announced that he "wasn't ready to present anything from the Desolation of Smaug at comic con this year" due to no available cast to attend and he himself working busy six day weeks in order to make the second and third Hobbit movies "as cool as they can possibly be." Jackson's "good news" is the new video blog: the 10 minute video shows behind-the-scenes production shots including the team goofing around and green screen scenes, that demonstrate the hard work and preparation that goes into producing such an intricately detailed fantasy blockbuster. The most exciting aspect of the video is seeing the gigantic sets that are built for the movie, such as Mirkwood forest and Lake-town, as well as the reunited cast back in costume and ready to film.

Martin freeman
Martin Freeman Returns As Bilbo Baggins.

The new film will pick up where the first instalment left off last Christmas - our Middle Earth heroes have just escaped the realm of the Goblin Kingdom to begin the next leg of their quest to reclaim riches belonging to a feisty band of dwarves from the evil dragon, Smaug. Now Bilbo (Martin Freeman) has The One Ring, the new episode of adventure will take Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the team through the Misty Mountains into The Desolation of Smaug where they'll meet the fearsome dragon (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) and attempt to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Watch Peter Jackson's Vlog And Insider Sneak-Peek:

Based on the novel that preceded J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit was one book that has been turned into three films. The studios are keeping the images of the dragon Smaug a secret but the freshly released video will tantalise fans just enough to keep them hanging on until the movie's December release.

Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen Will Lead The Quest As Wizard Gandalf.