Bag End goes up at the Embassy Theatre for the premiere of The Hobbit. WETA Worskshop writes: “Our clever friends at the 3 Foot 7 Art department have created a rather spectacular new facade for the building. Please share photos if you’ve been down at the cinema today!” We agree, if you’ve been down at the Embassy today, send us your photos and descriptions of what’s been going on!
Additionally, Ringer Selfish Narwal send us this article from the Dominion Post:
A Hobbit-themed sculpture is being unveiled on top of the Embassy Theatre today, as Middle- earth fever sweeps Wellington less than a fortnight out from the world premiere of Sir Peter Jackson’s new epic.
Workers have this morning been craning the huge installation pieces into place – including a Gandalf sculpture and what appears to be the front of a Hobbit house – since about 8am this morning.
Embassy duty manager Charlotte Weston said the installation was progressing well.
In June of this year the folks at Weta Workshop answered a long-standing request from the fans of Middle-earth with the release of Set One of The Fellowship of the Ring three-part set. Well, on the heels of the debut of Set One (review of said set coming soon), Weta has announced Set Two.
As you know the first set contained Gandalf, Frodo, and Legolas all of whom look really fantastic. Set Two gives fans four more characters on our way to completing the Fellowship with Boromir, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin. Like Set One this set will cost $200 and will not be shipping until quarter two of next year. Start saving now!
Diane Kelly with Nellie, a miniature Galloway, which stars in The Hobbit. Christchurch’s own Nellie the cow could join the likes of Lassie, Flipper and Skippy when she makes an appearance in Peter Jackson’s upcoming blockbuster The Hobbit.
The female miniature Galloway was “just meant to be floating in the background” of a scene in the long-awaited Peter Jackson movie when she walked up behind an actor, knocked his hat off and started licking his bald head.
“She just wouldn’t stop licking his head. She’s so good-natured and friendly and they just loved it so they’re going to put it in the movie,” said Diane Kelly, who brought Nellie to this year’s Canterbury A&P Show.
Warner Brothers has kicked off their Awards Season website for many of their films, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey among them. The page links to the Official Website and trailer, gives a brief synopsis of the story, and then lists all the names of the people who worked in eligible categories, from the Writers to the Sound Effects people, and a few of the actors. And just as a tease, there is a list of screenings, but those screenings are for Academy voters and members of the various Guilds (Screen Actors, Writers, Directors, etc) only. A full list of eligible names and categories below. Hopefully this means we will have a lot to celebrate at our own Oscar Party! [Website]
While visiting Wellington in New Zealand, Prince Charles – who is here for the Queen’s diamond jubilee tour – made a stop over at Weta Workshop, where he meet Sir Peter Jackson and Sir Richard Taylor, and Dori (Mark Hadlow), who makes a special request of the Prince. Watch below!
Prince Charles clearly enjoyed his time at Weta Workshop; it made an unusual part of his 64th birthday celebrations, which he also spent with 64 New Zealanders who shared the same birthday. You can read more about the Prince’s visit to Wellington here, here and here (if you look closely at that last article, you may notice some interesting concept art and some familiar faces on the wall behind Prince Charles and Peter Hambleton!) Thanks to all the Ringers who emailed us about this news!
Some fans have expressed concern that Peter Jackson melding The Hobbit with Tolkien’s later, weightier work will rob the former of its light spirit. Might it lose its intimate tone?
