Australians Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Barry Humphries will all attend the world premiere of the first Hobbit movie in New Zealand next week.
Warner Bros. has announced the stars who will attend the first screening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, in Wellington.
Filmmakers Sir Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will also be joined by Martin Freeman, who plays the central role of Bilbo Baggins; Richard Armitage, who stars as the dwarf warrior Thorin Oakenshield; Andy Serkis who plays Gollum and Elijah Wood who plays Frodo Baggins.
There may be a nearly 10-metre statue of Gandalf the Grey above Wellington’s Embassy Theatre, but the actor who plays the character, Sir Ian McKellen, won’t be there to see it for himself.
McKellen said he was sorry he could not attend. “I know they (the cast) will have a wonderful welcome from the fans and I envy them. As ever, my heart is in Wellington, and I send my love.”
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.
As you’ll know by now, Neil Finn provides the end credits ballad for the upcoming The Hobbit movie. Rolling Stone has the first chance for you to listen to the whole song, which is called ‘Song of the Lonely Mountain’. As well as a link to hear the song, the short article has a few words from Finn about creating a suitable piece – including the fact that, ‘Pop music needs more anvil!’ The dwarves would surely approve.
Thanks to a facebook supporter for letting us know about this!
Ringwraith and Fell Beast on the Embassy Theatre Workers have begun preparing a Hobbit-themed sculpture on the roof of Wellington’s Embassy Theatre, ahead of the film’s premiere this month. The installation, created by director Sir Peter Jackson’s art department, will be unveiled before the world premiere of the first film of the trilogy on November 28. An Embassy Theatre staff member said preparation work was carried out today and installation work would take place tomorrow, depending on the weather. Continue reading “Work begins on Embassy Theatre Hobbit sculpture”
In his latest post in his website, Ian McKellen writes about his anticipation of the Wellington, New York and London premieres of The Hobbit. He also talks about the heavy media commitments that come with the film:
I’ve been busy talking to journalists (about 70 so far) and reminiscing about the shoot. Their opening question is usually identical: “So, what was it like going back to New Zealand, a decade after LOTR. Did it feel the same?”
Australians Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Barry Humphries will all attend the world premiere of the first Hobbit movie in New Zealand next week.
