THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Action Figure Gives Us Our First Look At 'Yazneg'

I have read The Hobbit a number of times, and unless my memory is not what it used to be, 'Yazneg' is a new character created for Peter Jackosn's movies. But what the heck is he? Definitely doesn't look like an Orc or a Goblin, and as he would appear to be almost Shaman-like in appearance. Could he be some type of sorcerer, perhaps affiliated with the Necromancer? We do know that he will be played by John Rawls, who will also don the prosthetics as Bolg. Thanks to Tolkiendrim.com for the images and info, and Jonas Jakobsen for the heads up..

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 thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

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 guile 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.