Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit' Nails Down China Release Date, Opens in February

New Line and MGM's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has secured a China release date -- Feb. 22.

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Executives working in Warner Bros.' international division had been waiting to hear from Chinese officials as to when Peter Jackson's 3D tentpole would open (Warners is New Line's parent company).

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A strong China run should guarantee that The Hobbit' crosses the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. Through Sunday, the film has crossed $278.2 million domestically and $609.3 million worldwide for a total $887.5 million.

Hollywood tentpoles -- and especially those released in 3D -- have been doing huge business in China, where moviegoing is flourishing thanks to an exploding middle class.

Ang Lee's Life of Pi recently took in $90.8 million in China, while the 3D re-release of Titanic raked in $150 million last year.