'Rings' Gets Rousing NZ Premiere

CNN ^ | 12.01.03

[Cathryn Crawford]

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) -- Thousands of ecstatic fans cheered "The Lord of the Rings" at the world premiere of the final installment of the award-winning movie trilogy.

Like a victorious general at the front of his army, home-grown director Peter Jackson led stars from "The Return of the King" for five km (3 miles) through central Wellington on Monday, flanked by characters clad in armor and on black horses.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Director Peter Jackson waves to the crowd as he films them with his video camera.

The first two 'Rings' films have pulled in $1.8 billion.

[js1138]

http://www.worldwideboxoffice.com/

[Prof Engineer]

Ring ping

[Tijeras_Slim]

IIIIIEEEEEEE! HOBBITS IN THE NEWS FORUM!

[rb22982]

It's actually much much more than that. It's pulled in over $1.8 billion just off of box office sales. It does not include DVD/VHS sales, video game and action figure licensing, eventual TV rights among other things.

[anniegetyourgun]

Can't wait....

[Prof Engineer]

Oh no!!! Next there'll be .... sports.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Like Anna Kournikova threads? :)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Disregard previous... the cosmic balance has been restored.

[Constitution Day]

Not anymore! MUAHAHAHAHA!!

[Prof Engineer]

Now THOSE are news!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Deserving a bump (0r two)

[Cathryn Crawford]

Disregard previous... the cosmic balance has been restored.

Some people have no appreciation for real news...

[shaggy eel]

,,, I took the day off work to attend the World Premiere lead up parade with my eleven year old son. Wellington's weather was superb for the big day. He got to shake hands with Sir Ian McKellan. A couple of hundred metres away, my daughter managed to get Orlando Bloom's autograph.

I got sunburn and the day off work.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I took the day off work to attend the World Premiere lead up parade with my eleven year old son. Wellington's weather was superb for the big day. He got to shake hands with Sir Ian McKellan. A couple of hundred metres away, my daughter managed to get Orlando Bloom's autograph.

Wow! That is very cool. I've always wanted to visit NZ.

[shaggy eel]

,,, you should make the pilgrimage. I've visited the US three times. Won't do it a fourth time unless you do.

[Xthe17th]

But it was possible a prequel to the "The Lord of the Rings," called "The Hobbit," could be made in future --

YES!! I've been waiting for someone to allude to that possibility. IMHO, if Jackson was smart (and he is, very), I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that a good part of The Hobbit has already been filmed; At least all of the character scenes with Gandalf, Bilbo (need Ian Holm to look younger, not older), and Elrond lest the actors pass away. Would also bet that the outdoor Shire scenes were filmed (before the set gets torn down).

It's almost all there: the Misty Mountains, Rivendel, Andy Zirkus(sp?) is young so Gollum can be done in near future, warg CGI programming, orc costumes, weaponry, etc. All Jackson needs is to do Mirkwood, Lonely Mountain, Lake Village, and Smaug. Once he gets the rights, bet on it! My prediction is next Christmas.

[Guenevere]

#14...sigh...I've got to ask, and I'm certainly not a teenager :^)

Is Orlando Bloom as great looking in person as he is on screen :)

And, was Sean Astin there?

[shaggy eel]

,,, I haven't seen any LOTR films yet, but my two kids are really into it. The newspapers here are full of it still. I recognised Peter Jackson because I've seen him around Wellington a number of times, but when the parade of vehicles drove past I noticed all the younger star actors seemed to be in pinstripe suits. Liv Tyler had striking green eyes - I recall that, but some of the women in the crowd were better looking. Anyhow, I've got a lot to learn about who's who in all of this.

You'll probably see a few photos of the parade on www.stuff.co.nz

[Guenevere]

Well, you were a nice dad to take them to the parade, and I'm sure your daughter really apreciates it :)

I've seen both movies and bought the extended DVD's and can't wait for the 3rd of the trilogy.

Thanks for the info!