KARACHI: Oscar-winning visionary director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Peter Jackson has announced the end of principal filming of "The Hobbit" films. 

 

These are his long-awaited prequel that tells its story over two films, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" releasing December this year, and "There and Back Again" out in the following year.

 

Forthcoming movies have wrapped production in New Zealand, following a 266-day shoot, Jackson announced on his Facebook page.

 

Martin Freeman, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and Sir Ian McKellen are among the stars who were in New Zealand for filming, which began in March last year.

 

For promotional campaign "The Hobbit" is expected to be the centerpiece of Warner Bros' presentation at the Comic-Con International convention in San Diego on July 14, where Jackson will address fans and show footage from the first movie.

 

Jackson's trio of Lord of the Rings films, which the director also shot together, grossed a whopping $2.9 billion worldwide.