Here's a 12-minute video that I found has been going around on the web. Apparently, in 1966, Gene Deitch (a creator of Tom and Jerry cartoons) did a short (very short) animated version of The Hobbit.
The article is kind of aggrivating because of Deitch's attitude, but the video is, how shall I describe it...amusing? Deitch certainly gets creative in the liberties of making this version of The Hobbit:
http://www.themarysue.com/gene-deitc...it-short-film/
And maybe this is where PJ did his research in doing the Tauriel character? Oh boy, we can only hope.