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Middle-earth wasn't built in a day.

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In fact, it took 30 people 18 months to create the arsenal of 547 weapons for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, with some of the props and costumes carried by the diminutive heroes weighing in at over 70 lbs.

Video: An Unexpected Journey to the NZ 'Hobbit' Premiere

The Insider's Debbie Matenopoulos dropped by the film's New Zealand set to meet with the magic makers (as well as stars Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman and Adam Brown) featured in Peter Jackson's big-screen adaptation of the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien novel.

Check out the video in the player above!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey rides into theaters in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX on December 14.