[Greylight]

Retail wasn't very cooperative on the Hobbit line. Target passed, Walmart had only the 3.75" in select stores (as an end-of-the-aisle, not-quite-endcap feature), while Kmart had everything, but waited until December to stock a pallet display (what's left is now 75% off). Toys R Us and Amazon were the main supporters, while Books A Million and Hastings had a small selection.

On the subject of a trilogy, they have added material from the LOTR appendices that was happening at the same time as The Hobbit. Not to mention The Hobbit has a lot going on in such a small book, with big scenes happening "off-screen." Obviously the movies will show, rather than tell. And of course you can expect gratuitous non-Tolkien Jacksonisms.