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!
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)!
We are happy to announce that we can offer a student discount to the TORN-Red Carpet costume party for the Hobbit Premiere. Now we’ve got door sales, that’s easy to set up – just show up with a valid student ID, and your ticket to fun, food and fandom will be just $95. Speaking of eating, I’ve just seen the menu – smoked salmon, braised lamb shank pies on minted pea guacamole, poached prawns with bloody mary mayo, paua fritters, mini meringues with hazelnut truffle.
See you at the Amora Hotel Ballroom on Monday 26th!
Lots of people are on the road right now, heading to Wellington for the Premiere, so we figured they wouldn’t really be in a position to book a party ticket ahead of time very easily. So we’re going to have one of those flash EFTPOS machines so you can pay at the door. It accepts credit cards too – how convenient is that?
Breaking news from Warner Bros is that Sir Ian McKellen, who plays the wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit movies, will not be attending the world premier of The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey, in Wellington later this month. In a statement from Warner Brothers today, McKellen said he was envious his co-stars could attend. “It is thrilling that Peter and my other friends from the cast and crew will be re-united for the world premiere,” he said. “I know they will have a wonderful welcome from the fans and I envy them. As ever, my heart is in Wellington, and I send my love.” Warner Bros. announced the cast and crew members who will be attending the premier including Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins), Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Hugo Weaving (Elrond), Andy Serkis (Gollum) and Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins). Ten of the remaining 12 dwarf characters will also attend the premiere, as well as Barry Humphries, who plays the Goblin King.
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.”