In this scene, the dragon was created by mocap. In the “Hobbit” sequel, Cumberbatch plays the role of the perilous dragon, Smaug. Benedict Cumberbatch fans have been treated to a clip of the actor filming his motion capture performance as The Hobbit's evil dragon, Smaug. The Sherlock star plays the giant Lonely Mountain lizard in “The Desolation of Smaug” but to create the character in all its menacing glory, he had to writhe around in a technological sensor suit and helmet. Behind-the-scenes footage shows Cumberbatch lying on the floor and threatening an unseen Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit hired by Thorin to help the dwarves reclaim their stolen kingdom and gold. He also acted out the role in a mocap suit.