The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - The Premiere

1. The red carpet is unfurled in Wellington

Preparations for the stars' arrival at the Wellington premiere of The Hobbit.

2. Peter Jackson at The Hobbit premiere

The man behind it all - director Peter Jackson.

3. Wellington prepares for The Hobbit premiere

The stage is set to receive the stars of the movie event of the year, The Hobbit.

4. The Hobbit's cast and crew

Arriving in Wellington in their very own branded Hobbit plane, it's the movie's cast and crew.

5. Sylvester McCoy at The Hobbit premiere

Former Dr. Who star Sylvester McCoy plays Radagast The Brown in The Hobbit. He's still got a scarf on, though.

6. A Lord Of The Rings fan gets into the swing of the premiere

In costume as Gandalf the Grey, one fan is clearly very excited about The Hobbit.

7. William Kircher at The Hobbit Premiere

William Kircher arrives in a flamboyant white suit at the premiere of The Hobbit.

8. Elijah Wood at The Hobbit premiere

Elijah Wood makes a return appearance as Frodo Baggins in the new Tolkien-inspired movie.

9. Wellington LOTR fans turn up for the premiere

More Lord Of The Rings fans at The Hobbit premiere, this time dressed as elves.

10. Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne at The Hobbit premiere

Andy Serkis reprises his role as Gollum for The Hobbit, again aided by incredible CGI.

11. Airport security prepare for The Hobbit premiere

Even the airport staff have been Hobbit-branded.

12. Air New Zealand celebrate The Hobbit's premiere

The coolest way to get to Wellington.

13. Peter Jackson at The Hobbit premiere

Emerging from Bilbo Baggins' house, it's The Hobbit's director Peter Jackson!

14. Evangeline Lilly at The Hobbit Premiere

Evangeline Lilly arrives at the premiere for The Hobbit in Wellington, New Zealand.

15. Neil Finn at The Hobbit premiere

Neil Finn performs at the Hobbit premiere - he co-wrote one of the tracks from the film's score with Howard Shore.

16. James Cameron at The Hobbit premiere

Titanic director James Cameron arrives at the premiere for The Hobbit.

17. Cate Blanchett at The Hobbit Premiere

Cate Blanchett is among the actors making a return to the LOTR world, reprising her role as Galadriel in The Hobbit.

18. The Hobbit cast at the premiere

The movie's stars take a bow on stage at the Wellington premiere.

19. The Hobbit's cast and crew arrive

What better way to arrive than in a Hobbit-branded plane?

20. Gandalf... in Wellington?

Being a wizard, it's perhaps not too surprising that Gandalf has found his way beyond Middle Earth...

21. Wellington prepares for The Hobbit premiere

Even the New Zealand Post Office is getting behind The Hobbit.

22. The Embassy cinema in Wellington

Where the premiere screening of The Hobbit is due to take place, The Embassy cinema in Wellington.

23. Crowds gather in Wellington for The Hobbit premiere

24. Crowds gather in Wellington for The Hobbit premiere

Anticipation in Wellington is huge for the premiere of The Hobbit as crowds assemble to catch a glimpse of the movie's stars.

25. Barry Humphries and wife Lizzie Spender at The Hobbit premiere

Barry Humphries, better known as Dame Edna Everage, arrives at the premiere of The Hobbit. He plays the Goblin King in the film.

26. Andy Serkis on the red carpet

Looking slightly more healthy and dressed-up than he does as Gollum in the LOTR movies, it's Andy Serkis.

27. Jed Brophy and James Nesbitt at The Hobbit premiere

Well, it is a long way to walk up the red carpet... Stars Jed Brophy and James Nesbitt take a golf cart at The Hobbit premiere.

28. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at The Hobbit premiere

Proof that New Zealand is totally behind The Hobbit - New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key at the premiere.

29. Peter Jackson at The Hobbit premiere

Peter Jackson takes centre stage as the Prime Minister of New Zealand looks on.

30. Richard Armitage at The Hobbit premiere

Ready to greet the fans, Hobbit star Richard Armitage graces the red carpet in Wellington, New Zealand

31. Martin Freeman arrives at The Hobbit premiere

Greeted by director Peter Jackson, British actor and Bilbo Baggins himself Martin Freeman arrives at the premiere of The Hobbit.