The day has finally arrived. All eyes are on New Zealand's capital, Wellington, as it prepares for the world premiere of Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Hobbit."
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
The day has finally arrived. All eyes are on New Zealand's capital, Wellington, as it prepares for the world premiere of Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Hobbit."
Courtesy Warner Brothers
The cast of "The Hobbit" pose with an Air New Zealand Hobbit-inspired jet after arriving in Wellington.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
The cast of "The Hobbit" pose with an Air New Zealand Hobbit-inspired jet after arriving in Wellington.
Laura Forest/Getty Images
"Hobbit" director Peter Jackson (c), pictured here at Wellington airport, has filmed a number of blockbusters in his native New Zealand.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
"Hobbit" director Peter Jackson (c), pictured here at Wellington airport, has filmed a number of blockbusters in his native New Zealand.
Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images
Cast members including Sylvester McCoy (hanging onto his hat) and John Callen arrive in the Middle of Middle Earth, as Wellington has been dubbed.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
Cast members including Sylvester McCoy (hanging onto his hat) and John Callen arrive in the Middle of Middle Earth, as Wellington has been dubbed.
Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images
A giant sculpture of "Gollum" dominates Wellington Airport -- city officials expect 100,000 people to take to the streets of the city for Wednesday's premiere.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
A giant sculpture of "Gollum" dominates Wellington Airport -- city officials expect 100,000 people to take to the streets of the city for Wednesday's premiere.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
A giant statue of "Gandalf" looms over Wellington's Embassy Theater, as it prepares to welcome the cast of "The Hobbit" for the world premiere.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
A giant statue of "Gandalf" looms over Wellington's Embassy Theater, as it prepares to welcome the cast of "The Hobbit" for the world premiere.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
"Hobbit" fans are treated to the sight of orcs wandering the streets of New Zealand's capital.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
"Hobbit" fans are treated to the sight of orcs wandering the streets of New Zealand's capital.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The inevitable merchandising machine is never far away, with a whole array of Hobbit-related products on sale.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
The inevitable merchandising machine is never far away, with a whole array of Hobbit-related products on sale.
Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images
Even Britain's Prince Charles got into the spirit when he met Mark Hadlow who plays the character "Dori" at Wellington's Weta Workshop earlier this month.
Welcome to the Middle of Middle Earth —
Even Britain's Prince Charles got into the spirit when he met Mark Hadlow who plays the character "Dori" at Wellington's Weta Workshop earlier this month.
Mark Mitchell/Getty Images