Second Rings trailer goes online

The next film is due in December 2002

The trailer for the next Lord of the Rings film has appeared on the internet.

The two-minute teaser, which has appeared on several fan websites, gives a glimpse of the action in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and some of the new characters.

The first Lord of the Rings movie was a huge hit when it was released in November 2001, taking $850m (£566) at cinemas around the world, making it the fifth most successful film of all time.

Bernard Hill played Yosser in Boys from the Blackstuff

The Two Towers will be met with high expectations when it comes out just before Christmas 2002.

The new trailer is a series of short, dramatic clips from the film showing glimpses of the epic battle scenes and chases that fans can expect.

It also gives fans their first view of Theoden, King of Rohan, played by UK actor Bernard Hill.

Hill is known for playing Yosser Hughes in TV series Boys from the Blackstuff and Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.

It also introduced actress Miranda Otto as Eowyn.

The Two Towers will take up the story where the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, left off.

Debut

It will see hobbits Frodo and Sam continue their mission to destroy The One Ring.

The three Lord of the Rings films were filmed back-to-back in New Zealand, with the final instalment due for release in December 2003.

The trailer is due to make its debut in United States cinemas before screenings of Men in Black II from Wednesday, 3 July, according to one website, ComingSoon.net.

The official website, is not carrying the new trailer, but it does have exclusive Two Towers material, such as posters, photos and video interview with director Peter Jackson.