We’ve been waiting for this more or less since we first finished watching all those ‘Fan Club’ credits roll on the Extended Edition of The Return of the King – and now it’s finally about to happen!  On Wednesday 28th, from shortly before 4pm (New Zealand time!) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has its World Premiere in Wellington, which has become ‘The Middle of Middle-earth’ for this special event.

But after all this time, are you ready?  Where will you be to follow the news as the event unfolds?  Don’t panic – here at TheOneRing.net we’ve got you covered!

First of all, you need to know WHEN it’s all happening.  This time clock can help you with that – convert the Wellington start time to your own local time, and then set your alarm clock!  The official start is 4.30pm, but coverage will start from about 3.50pm New Zealand time.

WHERE is it happening?  The map on the right (above) shows a layout of the streets around Wellington where the red carpet will take place. You can also read more details about the plans here and see a clearer map here.

WHAT will be happening?  This is the outline of events on the day (again, starting c.3.50pm Wed 28th New Zealand time – that’s Tuesday evening in America, late night/early morning Tuesday/Wednesday in Europe):

Show Opening/Welcome

Neil Finn Performance including a performance of ‘Song of the Lonely Mountain,’ from the official soundtrack

The actors arrive, red carpet interviews and crowd interaction

Official Speeches

HOW can you watch it?  Never fear – TORn’s here for you!  We’ll be LIVE STREAMING events from Wellington.  Keep your eyes on the homepage for details, and to see all the fun!  Barliman’s will also be open for LIVE chat, discussion and general highjinks and frivolity!  You can connect to Barliman’s chat room by clicking here.

We will also of course keep you up-to-date with the latest news, pictures and thoughts from our staffers who are lucky enough to be in Wellington for the big event!  And don’t forget, there’s still time – if you hurry! – to get a ticket to join them at the best costume party in town, in Wellington on Monday night.  Details here!

Finally, to fill in the time between now and then, here are a number of video clips to show you everything which is going on in New Zealand as they get ready for this not-so-Unexpected Journey!

A first look, including comments from Matt Dravitzki from Wingnut Films, at what is planned for the premiere of World Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to be held in Wellington November 28th.


A look at the various Hobbit themed facades at Wellington Airport and around Wellington, in preparation for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.


The giant Gandalf being placed on top of the Embassy Theatre in time for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – part 1, with comments from production designer Dan Hennah.


Giant Gandalf installation part 2.


The cool Artisan market place being held on Wellington’s water front for five days, with offerings for sale from artists who worked on both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit!


Some of the activities and events which are being run in the build up to the world premier of The Hobbit in Wellington.

Are you quite ready for another adventure?  Don’t forget your pocket-handkerchief!

 

Canadian Ringers - win a trip to NYC!

To celebrate the release of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ enter to win tickets for you and a guest to a special marathon screening of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy in New York City.

Grand Prize Includes:

  • • Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation for two.
  • • Two Tickets to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy movie marathon
  • • Two leather banff bags courtesy of Roots
  • • An ultimate fan prize pack courtesy of TheOneRing.net (That’s us!!)
  • • And two tickets to an advance screening of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

 

Canadian Ringers…enter now!! [Click here] And don’t forget (like we needed to remind you), ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ opens December 14th!

Be sure to check out our *LIVE* webcast happening in about 1/2 an hour! Every week Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway hosts TORn TUESDAY, bringing very cool live chat technology right to your computer; allowing Ringer fans from across the world to interact and join hobbit actors, authors, artists, and more for a lively virtual moot and discussion! We have extra special guest Erica Challis today, one of the original founding members of TheOneRing.net community, coming to us via Skype from Wellington, New Zealand — where she and RED CARPET TOURS are preparing a fantastic HOBBIT Pre-Premiere Party! Learn how you can attend! Join our Live Event page here and be part of the show — it all begins 5:00pm Pacific Time (Tuesday) and 2:00pm New Zealand time (Wednesday)!

As part of their weekly Sunday countdown of top classical music and movie scores, the U.K. station,Classic fm, will be playing exerpts from Howard Shore’s score to “The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey.”  The countdown show is playing as I type this with the #1 slot set to begin around  6:30 p.m. GMT (that’s 11:30 a.m. EST (New York) and 7:30 a.m NADT (Auckland). Follow this link to listen live on your computer: classicfm.com. Read More

Here at TheOneRing.net we have a long history of ‘swamping’ polls – showcasing the full power of Ringers worldwide. Well, today we have a special poll from the folks at People’s Choice. They have come up with a list of 10 Nominees for a ‘Favorite Movie Fan Following’ category, and we ‘Ringers’ are among the choices. Sure those other fan bases are great and all, but we hope you hold a special place in your hearts for the Ringer community. (BTW – Anyone know the first use of Ringers to refer to the Tolkien fan community? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments)  Jump over to their nominations page and cast your vote today! [Vote Ringers!]

Martin Bayton, creator of Jane and the Dragon, is spearheadng an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Sandcastle building on Sunday, November 25 starting at 8am. This is not just a passing social event, funds are being raised for the Neonatal Trust of New Zealand. Wellingtonians, Kiwis, and everyone else visiting the city that weekend are invited to participate, and to encourage that, there are some benefits. WETA and Air New Zealand have come on board to offer some support and sponsorship, including a Pair of Tickets from any Air New Zealand gateway city to Wellington for the week in order to help build a Sandcastle and see all the Premiere activities. For New Zealanders, you simply need to join Adventure Wellington and then RSVP, everyone else would want to donate a minimum of $10NZD, which includes a ticket to the event and en entry to win the trip. You can find all the details at WETA supports world Record Attempt WETA is even making custom molds to help make sure the Sandcastles are built up to the required specs to meet the Guinness requirements.