Spy report just through… scouts have been noticed at Kaitoke Regional Park in Wellington, home for Rivendell during the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. No official confirmation from Wellington Regional Council (they administer the Park) or the studios yet. The crew scouting may have just been looking for ideas or remembering the glory days. They were very secretive and did not want to hang around for a chat with some visiting Rings fans as they admired the gorgeous scenery…

Why are we excited?

Bilbo visits Rivendell in The Hobbit and the upcoming movie will have Rivendell scenes. When they do start filming this is great for Wellington Rover Tours passengers who will be able to spy during the tour. Visit Wellington Rover Tours website.

There have been concerns The Hobbit may be a ’studio movie’ with a major use of green screens. This would be a big shift from how the LOTR filmed. Lets hope they do make use of some beautiful New Zealand locations and return to Rivendell.

they are doing it again… Book Signing with Guillermo del Toro. They recently had a book signing at the WETA CAVE. This drew a large crowd to a quiet suburb. Expect even more people to turn up to Unity Books right in the heart of Wellington city. I have heard Unity Books have hired security (!) and will have street entertainment for the crowds.

Wellington has hadbook signings with Alan Lee, John Howe and Mr Del Toro in recent weeks. As more Lord of the Rings regulars return for the making of the Hobbit I think Wellington can expect more local signings, sightings and interactions. Very exciting and in contrast to how everybody saw the ’stars and crew’when they were here making the Lord of the Rings movies.

Funny how different your treated with Oscars on the window sill.

More details below:

Hollywood director Guillermo del Toro is being hosted by Unity Books for a signing session for his first novel, “The Strain” – the first volume in a trilogy, co-written with thriller writer Chuck Hogan, about a vampiric virus that invades New York. Get your copy signed by the director of Weta’s “The Hobbit”.

Unity Books, Wellington, 8 July 2009  6:00pm