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Final Hobbit film pushed back

Move is thought to have been made to avoid a clash with the forthcoming 'X-Men' sequel

Peter Jackson's final film in his Hobbit series, 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again', is having its release date pushed back five months.

Originally due for release in July 2014, it will now become a Christmas title, hitting cinemas and concluding his trilogy on December 17, 2014.

[Related story: Gandalf 'lonely and tearful' filming The Hobbit]



It means that all three films will have been released at Christmas, in the same manner as his 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy.

The next film, 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug', is still due out on December 13, 2013.

No reason has been given as to the shift in release date, but there is speculation that it has been done to avoid a clash with 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'.

So far, the December 17 slot is only occupied by Jackson's final Hobbit film.