WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

Wellington Airport and Weta Workshop are working together to create an unforgettable experience into the gateway of the Wellington region for the November 28, 2012, world premiere of Peter Jackson’s first film in The Hobbit Trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).  

“Weta is developing a new creation that will be interactive and breathtaking for everyone inside the Wellington Airport,” said Steve Sanderson, Wellington Airport Chief Executive.

Weta Workshop’s Creative Director, Richard Taylor, who is overseeing the project said, “We have had a long and wonderful relationship with the Wellington Airport team, who continually focus on presenting an exciting gateway into our city.  We are thrilled to once again be creating something with Wellington Airport that will bring delight to the many visitors coming to our fabulous city.”

The creation is still in development and the full details cannot be released yet, but it will be suspended in the main terminal where all travelers enter and will be 13 metres long and 3 metres high, or the size of a small jet aircraft. 

“It’s going to be outstanding to see thousands of visitors coming to Wellington and have this opportunity to showcase the best of our local talent,” Sanderson said.  “Wellington Airport has a crucial role to play for the region and is proud to be able to support the premiere”.

About The Hobbit Trilogy:

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.  The screenplay for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro.  Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. 

Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King.  The film is edited by Jabez Olssen.  The costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey, Richard Taylor and Bob Buck.

Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award-winning Weta Workshop.  Weta Digital take on the visual effects for the films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri.   Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production.  Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012, with the second film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again slated for July 18, 2014. 

Issued by:  Wellington International Airport Limited

Enquiries to:

Greg Thomas                                                                    
Manager – External Relations                                    
+64 21 430435                                                                   
+64 4 3855148