'The Hobbit' to receive limited 48fps release?

Published Aug 8 2012, 04:14 BST  |  By Kate Goodacre

The Hobbit movies will receive a limited release at the new 48fps (frames per second) framerate, it has been claimed.

A ten-minute preview reel of The Hobbit debuted to a mixed reception at CinemaCon earlier this year. The industry's current standard is 24fps.


['The Hobbit' stars Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) and Andy Serkis (Gollum) on set]

Variety claims that studio Warner Bros will only send the higher framerate version of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to a selection of cinemas, in order to test out the format with audiences.

If the first film receives a positive reception, The Hobbit: There and Back Again and a third recently-confirmed Hobbit-themed movie from filmmaker Peter Jackson will be rolled out on more screens at the higher framerate.

Photo gallery - 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey':
Jackson has defended his decision to shoot The Hobbit movies at 48fps, arguing that the experience is unusual as the technology is so new, but reassuring audiences that they will get used to it quickly.

A Comic-Con preview reel for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was however shown at the standard framerate of 24fps as Jackson expressed a desire for reviews and comment to "[stay] firmly with the content and not the technical stuff".

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - the first movie in Jackson's trilogy - will debut on December 14 this year.

Watch the first trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey below: