Note: this is an archived entry. Some links might not still work, but I have tried to ensure scan and video embeds are still in place. If any linked material is unavailable, please let me know and I’ll attempt to find a copy in my personal archives.
Wanted to share some key information in time for fans to make practical use of it: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will premiere November 28 in Wellington, NZ. Most of us won't be able to make the trip. but we will be able to see the event live-streamed on the internet. Several websites will carry the feed, including Comingsoon.net, SuperHeroHype, Hero Complex (LA Times), onenews.co.nz, NowLive, Middle Earth Network and many others. Because it's November 28 in New Zealand well before it is in the US, Americans will want to tune in tomorrow at 9.50pm EST (6.50 PST). Fortunately I'll be available to live-tweet and update here… providing an anticipated winter storm doesn't knock our power out. 😉 But I hope many of you will be able to catch it for yourselves. MyMiddleEarthNews has helpfully compiled a listing of worldwide schedules for the live footage. (UK fans will have the toughest time with a 2.50 AM GMT start time, while any NZ fans not physically at the premiere can watch it online starting at 3.50 PM NZDT.) They also have a complete schedule of events at the premiere; actors are scheduled to arrive about an hour in.
BREAKING NEWS: The German website Cinemaxx plans to live-stream the 12 December Royal Premiere in London in addition to the 28 November World Premiere in Wellington. No word yet on which actors will aattend the London event, though Sir Ian McKellen has suggested he probably will.
Beyond that, the most exciting find in recent days is this pic of Hugo with castmates Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman, Elijah Wood and Richard Armitage at the NZ wildlife sanctuary Zealandia. The Dominion Post provided a brief account of the visit:
"Hobbit stars pour into Wellington
Hobbit actors Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman, Zealandia's Lauren Schaer, Elijah Wood and Richard Armitage pay a visit to Wellington's Zealandia.
Yes, I'm already trying to find out which "American show" conducted the interview at the sanctuary, and I'll post details (and, ideally, the eventual clip) when they become available. (I'm assuming this will be closer to the December 14 release date, or maybe on/near the December 6 NYC premiere.) A lot of the actors were photographed at the airport arriving for the premiere, but Hugo seems to have slipped by undetected. 😉 I also hope the actors didn't have issues with Keas savaging their rental cars in the wildlife sanctuary parking lot. ;).
You can read additional Hobbit premiere preview articles at Examiner.com, Channel 24, The Hollywood News, Dawn.com, TVNZ.co (in which Peter Jackson admits that the first film won't be finished until… well, maybe this minute) ;), The New Zealand Herald, One News and Canberra Times. I should note that many identical articles seem to be cross-posted across several affiliated websites, and I've tried to avoid duplication. You can read more about the pre-premiere fan costume party attended by Peter Jackson and Elijah Wood (with video) here, here, here, here and here. Most video focuses on the fans rather than the actors in attendance. The NZ Herald has a selection of fan photos. TV.co.nz features video with comments from Wood and Jackson.
Fans will also want to check out Peter Jackson's ninth Production Video, which provides a glimpse of the many aspects of post-production work, including visual effects, score, editing and sound design. No Elrond sightings, but very entertaining and insightful without a lot of spoilers. And if you're in need of Goblin Torture Devices, you're in luck. 😉
There are also several new Cloud Atlas articles, including an enthusiastic podcast at Everyone Question, Variety notes Hugo and Jim Broadbent as possible dark horse candidates for Supporting Actor Oscars (I'd consider that an extremely long shot, but would love to be wrong, Collider debates the film's public perception and artistic success vs "soft" box office, another video of Tom Hanks and Halle Berry discussing Hugo and Jim Strugess's wackiest character costumes/makeups here, a prfile of Lana Wachiwski at PolicyMic, and a compare/contrast of Cloud Atlas with the Steampunk genre (and what looks like Old Georgie's furniture set) here. There are also reviews at Next Projection, Movie Review Today, and Screaming Critics.
Back tomorrow night for the festivities!
Hugonuts Wordpress 