Locals in Wellington, New Zealand are hoping for a boost in business following the release of the first film in Peter Jackson’s new trilogy “The Hobbit.” The film is set to premiere in Wellington later this month and the city is rolling out the red carpet for the Hollywood stars who are planning to return for the red carpet event.
The prequel, like the “Lord of the Rings” series, was filmed in New Zealand but Jackson says the location wasn’t a sure bet. Speaking with Radio New Zealand he explained that other countries lobbied for his business:
“The Hobbit did come very close to not being filmed here,” Jackson said. He adds that Warner Brothers studio also considered shooting in the Scottish Highlands and even sent location scouts to the area:
“That was to convince us we could easily go over there and shoot the film . . . and I would have had to gone over there to do it but I was desperately fighting to have it stay here,” Jackson said.
by RTT Staff Writer
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