Right now, all eyes are on Warner Bros.' upcoming superhero reboot Man of Steel. The film – starring Henry Cavill (Immortals) as Superman and directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) – just may prove to be the launching pad the studio needs to jumpstart a shared movie universe, leading to either a Batman/ Superman team-up or that elusive Justice League film (or both).

However, that's not the only franchise that will receive a boost when the Last Son of Krypton zooms into theaters. One of Warner Bros.' other long-term investments – Peter Jackson's return to Middle-Earth with The Hobbit trilogy – is about to return to the public consciousness in a big way.

According to Emileeid.com, the first trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will make its debut in theaters with Man of Steel next week. Before that, though, the footage is set to pop up online June 12th at 10am PDT. Word is that this is a full two-minute trailer featuring actual footage from the film and not merely a teaser to let moviegoers know the film is on the way.

In a time where many high-profile releases are promoting seconds-long teasers for their trailer releases, Warner Bros.' direct approach here is refreshing, and of course, the decision to attach the Hobbit footage to arguably the studio's biggest 2013 film is a no-brainer.

Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel in The Hobbit

The question remains, though, as to precisely what footage the Desolation of Smaug trailer will highlight. Given that we recently got our first look at the character played by Evangeline Lilly of Lost fame, expect her to make an appearance, possibly alongside Orlando Bloom as elf warrior Legolas.

Fans will be most looking forward to the big reveal of Smaug, the fire-breathing dragon of the title, whom Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his companions seek to destroy. That character is voiced by Star Trek into Darkness actor Benedict Cumberbatch but didn't make a significant appearance in the first film of the trilogy. The character is central to the story and could very well appear - if only briefly - in the film's first trailer. However, don't count on getting a good look at the creature, as the film's marketing is likely to rely on building mystery around its titular antagonist.

Are you looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug, Screen Rant readers? Let us know in the comments.

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Man of Steel opens in regular and select 3D/IMAX theaters in the U.S. on June 14th, 2013. It stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer and Russell Crowe.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens in theaters on December 13th, 2013. The final chapter, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, arrives in theaters on December 17th, 2014.

Source: emileeid.com