Warner Home Video has just unveiled plans to release an Extended Cut of Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Blu-Ray Disc and DVD in November, in order to help build excitement for the second movie‘s theatrical release.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first in Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece “The Hobbit, ” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild, through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins, Orcs and deadly Wargs, as well as a mysterious and sinister figure known only as the Necromancer.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the Goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him; he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities…A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

This new edition will feature 13 minutes of additional footage inserted into the movie and will also be packed with bonus materials.

Among the nine hours of supplements, you will find a Commentary Track with Commentary with Director/Producer/Screenwriter Peter Jackson, and Co-Producer/Screenwriter Philippa Boyens.

The meat of the supplements will be made up by The Appendices, a Multi-part Documentary that will show you the chronological history of the filming of the movie, covering pre-production in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, the boot camp training for the main cast, the work done on set chronologically through the three shooting blocks and in the world of its digital effects.

Also included will be a Featurette with the title New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, giving you a closer look at this fascinating country.

Look for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition on November 22 for $54.98 as a Blu-Ray 3D release, 5.99 for the Blu-Ray version and $34.99 on DVD.