I think PJ and his screenwriting team are drawing source material not only from The Hobbit itself, but also appendices and other materials Tolkien wrote. That's what I'm assuming, at least. It they stick to that, I'll be happy.

If they don't stick to that, I'm pretty sure the entire fandom will have words with PJ. If he hasn't come to know the fandom well enough to realize we will not put up with too much deviation from Tolkien's flawless vision, he's a fool. I pray he is NOT a fool. Don't want to pity him for that. :)

Let's keep our fingers crossed and the hair on our toes brushed (unless you'd rather envision yourself as an elf than a hobbit) and hope for the best! (Usually, I'm not this blindingly cheerful and optimistic, but I am now. Weird.)