Can You Spot Any Difference Between Old Gandalf and New Gandalf in The Hobbit?

Good on U.K. publication Empire magazine for offering up the -- drumroll, please -- world's first Hobbit cover photo. (Never mind that EW had a full spread on The Hobbit in its most recent issue; no cover, no service!) Sir Ian McKellen and his ratty-looking robes get the honor -- with Martin Freeman relegated to a "Meet Bilbo!" bubble on the left side of the mag -- and, as Empire reveals, there are some slight physical differences between his appearance in The Hobbit, and what fans remember from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Fun! Let's investigate, Photo Hunt-style.

OK, it's not exactly Photo Hunt -- two different photos, obviously; the left one is from The Fellowship of the Ring -- but you get the idea. One thing that stands out: Gandalf's younger-looking, salt-and-pepper hair color. Also, his finger nails are more grimy in The Hobbit than they were in Fellowship. Dude looks like an auto mechanic. You shall not pass... without a state inspection.

The Hobbit opens on Dec. 14, 2012.

· Exclusive: World's First 'Hobbit' Cover [Empire via JoBlo.com]