Just had an enjoyable afternoon and early evening going along to see the world premier of The Hobbit. I didn't get to see the film, but I was one of about 120,000 people who were outside, seeing all the stars arriving. I was lucky enough to get a good viewpoint just opposite the start of the red carpet which was perfect to see the famous and not so famous.

It was an incredible atmosphere with about 3% of the population of New Zealand there. Scaling up the numbers to the population of the US it would be like 3 million people being there!

As the film gets seen around the world, look out for the backdrops where you'll get to see New Zealand in all it's beauty, just like people saw in the Lord of the Rings films.

I can't wait to see it!  It looks to be epic! 

Already many Oscar nominations predicted.  Cinematography in New Zealand will be one.   

Premieres in theaters here on Dec 14th and looking forward to taking my son

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Brew wrote on Nov 28^th, 2012 at 7:51am:


9 million is about double the whole population of NZ!

Just about everyone I spoke to today either went there or knew someone who did and that is after talking to a few people from all over the country.

Adding a few photos, although not sure how to get more than one attachment per post.

First off, one of Air New Zealand's Boeing 777s did a flypast, decorated with a Hobbit theme. It was only at 1000 feet and 150 knots (very low and slow).

Cate Blanchett      ...      Galadriel

Martin Freeman      ...      Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit!)

About two months ago whilst boarding a flight from Auckland to Wellington I let two people into the queue (line) in front of me, then realised that they were Martin Freeman and Sir Ian McKellen (who plays Gandalf), who acted just like two normal people getting on a plane. They made no fuss and everybody just let them get on with life with nobody making a scene. This is very typical NZ.

James Nesbitt      ...      Bofur

I've a load of other pictures of people who turned up in limmos and walked down the red carpet. However I'm not exactly a film or celebrity buff so I'm still trying to figure out who some of them are. Those who are slightly height challenged are probably some of the other dwarfs but the rest might remain a mystery.

Anyway it was a load of fun.

They all look a little tall to be hobbits.

AussieBrian wrote on Nov 29^th, 2012 at 11:26pm:


That helped me identify someone else. It was only with the description that I recognized someone else I snapped.

As for the quote from Peter Jackson, kiwis do love our cousins from over the ditch, unless underarm bowling is mentioned of course.

Charlie wrote on Nov 30^th, 2012 at 9:31am:


The Lord of the Rings films will have resulted in millions of dollars flowing into New Zealand with tourists flying in to see where it all happened. Whilst for many it won't have been the only reason, it will have been a contributing reason to make them pick here over other destinations.

With the three Hobbit films over the next few years there will be another influx of visitors, which with tourism being our biggest industry is great news for the country. It's also good for our film industry too which is doing well with not just Peter Jackson films but also things like the two sequels to Avatar and others.