New Zealand to rename city for Hobbit premiere
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This film image released by Warner Bros., shows Ian McKellen as Gandalf in a scene from the fantasy adventure "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." -- PHOTO: AP
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - New Zealand's capital Wellington will rename itself "The Middle of Middle-earth" when it hosts the world premiere of The Hobbit movie trilogy next month.
Middle-Earth is the fictional setting for the movies.
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the city will spend 1.1 million New Zealand dollars (S$1.1 million) on a red-carpet celebration for the Nov 28 premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at the downtown Embassy Theatre.
The movie is the first of three prequels to The Lord of the Rings movies. It's directed by Wellington resident Peter Jackson and is shot in New Zealand.
