In his latest blog, Ian McKellen addresses a question he must be getting asked rather a lot of late: “Has Peter Jackson changed?”. His answer? “The basic answer is No: he’s still the same Kiwi, who loves nothing more than making films in his native country, surrounded by faithful colleagues whom he trusts and admires.”

There is one difference apparently.

“Oh, one surprising change I have noticed. Shoes are optional in New Zealand and most days Peter shot LOTR barefoot as a hobbit. But on The Hobbit filming he was always well shod, padding through the leaf mould and rubble of the sets in regular footwear.”

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