the hobbit premiere red carpet wellington
CATE Blanchett looked out of this world when she attended The Hobbit's world premiere today — as tens of thousands of fans clad like characters from the films turned the streets into Middle Earth.
The actress, who reprised her role as Galadriel for the Lord of the Rings prequels, was radiant in a red, white and black ensemble that set off her flawless skin beautifully.
She was joined on the red carpet by Bilbo star Martin Freeman who turned up to the film launch in Wellington in a smart suit and sunglasses.
Not a Hobbit suit ... Bilbo star Martin Freeman looks dapper
Fans dressed as elfs, wraiths and hobbits lined the street to see the stars file past. Director Peter Jackson was at one point seen emerging from a make-shift hobbit house erected near the premiere cinema.
He was cheered along the 550-yard red carpet and stopped to talk to fans, sign autographs and pose for photos.
Elijah Woods, who played Frodo Baggins in the original trilogy, also emerged from behind the door, sporting a blue suit and funky round shades.
MARTIN Freeman among the stars on the red carpet to celebrate first screening of fantasy flick
Former lost star Evangeline Lilly — whose character Tauriel will not be seen on screen until the second instalment of the trilogy — lapped up the attention from fans while on the arm of co-star James Nesbitt.
Nesbitt, who plays dwarf Bofur, also appeared to have a great time in the New Zealand sunshine — and was even seen planting a smacker on Hugo Weaving.
Cheers ... director Peter Jackson
The only sour note at the premiere came when animal rights activists shrouded all in black held up posters saying "Middle Earth unexpected cruelty" and "3 horses died for this film".
It followed claims last week that more than 20 animals died during the making of the film.
Frodo star ... Elijah Wood emerges from Hobbit hole
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Event organisers tried to block out the protesters' posters with large Hobbit film billboards. Jackson has said some animals died on a farm where they were housed, but none had been hurt during filming.
Yesterday, The Sun told about the excitement preceding the long-awaited premiere.
Having a laugh ... James Nesbitt and Evangeline Lilly have a great time at premiere
A giant Gollum sculpture grabbing a fish was hung from the city's airport ceiling while Air New Zealand jetted in the stars on a specially painted plane.
The Hobbit trilogy is set 60 years before the Rings films and shows Bilbo's quest to reclaim the lost dwarf kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.
Protest ... veiled Peta activists hold up posters
The films were shot back-to-back with an estimated budget of £311million.
The first Hobbit movie will be released globally in December. The second, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, is due in December 2013 and the final Chapter, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, follows in July 2014.
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