Comic-Con fans journey to Middle Earth with Hobbit (THE SUNDAY TIMES)

Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman, Philippa Boyens, Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage and Elijah Wood speak at the The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey panel 2012 Comic Con on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in San Diego, California. -- PHOTO: AP

SAN DIEGO (REUTERS) - Director Peter Jackson took loyal fans at Comic-Con on a journey back to Middle Earth on Saturday with footage of his upcoming film fantasy The Hobbit, calling the new epic 'made by fans, for fans'.

Many die-hard loyalists from Jackson's Lord Of The Rings series waited overnight at the giant pop culture showcase in San Diego to attend a panel where Jackson was joined by actors Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, script writer Philippa Boyens and surprise guest Elijah Wood.

The panel opened with a 15-minute behind-the-scenes video featuring interviews with the cast and crew as well as footage from scenes featuring explosions and fights, which the audience welcomed with deafening screams.

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