Desolation Of Smaug: Dragon Plane Flies For Real [Video]

The Desolation of Smaug had its famous (or infamous, if you’re a wee Hobbit) dragon painted on the side of a plane.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the visage of the dragon for The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug wasn’t revealed until just this past weekend.

So what is worse than snakes on a plane? I’d imagine a dragon on a plane would fit the bill, although I’m sure Samuel L. Jackson would love to take on that mother-bleeper.

Air New Zealand worked with Weta Digital, Peter Jackson’s company that is responsible for the special effects of the movie, to put a 177-foot Smaug dragon graphic on the side of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft. New Zealand has been trying for years to use the success of the Lord of the Rings movies to bolster tourism for the island nation.

Eric Saindon, visual effects supervisor of Weta Digital, spoke about the Desolation Of Smaug plane in glowing terms:

“Capturing Smaug’s presence and the amazing detail in his design while accommodating the windows, doors and wing shape was quite a different experience for us. It was great to see Smaug brought to life, and he appears even larger in the film.”

This isn’t the first time Air New Zealand has been the inspiration for a Hobbit-inspired advertisement. Last year they flew the main characters on another one of their planes:

But this year the Desolation of Smaug will be marketed by Smaug flying to Long Angeles for the Monday night premiere of the new Hobbit movie.