So, it seems that we’re going to be drip-fed a photo a day until the San Diego Comic-Con Hall H presentation.

Today, it’s one of Gandalf meeting Thranduil in what seems to be a wintry and ruined Dale. Those following the Gandagast staff kerfuffle will note that Gandy has his old staff in this one. The one he lost in Dol Guldur just recently.

To me, that suggests either, this is a flashback to some past event, or that a bunch of folks really forgot about continuity. Or that they’re just messing with us.

I’ll leave it to you to decide which theory you prefer — or suggest your own below that makes sense of the conflicting evidence!

UPDATE: we now have a high-resolution still courtesy of our friends over at El Anillo Único.

XXX HOBBIT-BATTLE-FIVE-ARMIES-MOV-JY-1157-.JPG A ENT

Aforesaid photo comes with a few words from Philippa Boyens, who says:

“People tend to forget what happens at the end of The Hobbit,” says screenwriter/producer Philippa Boyens. “They think of this little children’s book. The rest of the story needs to be told, and it’s pretty intense stuff.”

Thanks to everyone who wrote in to let us know about this one!

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