Update: Since writing this post many events have been announced ... all within three weeks of the World Premiere.
1. NZ cast and Stephen Hunter invited to a Premiere in Los Angeles. Date was later announced as December 9th (coinciding with release in NZ time of the movie).
2. Premieres announced in Paris (4th December), Mexico and Toronto (6th December), Brazil (7th December).
3. Jed Brophy included on list of cast members attending London.
3. Advanced screening at The Roxy, Miramar to be held simultaneously to the London World Premiere with interactive satellite link on December 2nd at 6.30am). Announced on 25th November. Local cast, crew and Sir Richard Taylor to attend.
4. Sir Peter Jackson to be honoured with a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame on December 8th in Los Angeles. Special event with big name LOTR and Hobbit stars in attendance. US Premiere with cast in attendance to be held on December 9th.
Last week, the World Premiere of 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' was announced for December 1st in London. That was to be expected. What was unexpected was the later revelation that seven of the Company of Dwarves would not be attending the World Premiere because of "budget restrictions". These actors are as follows:
1. Jed Brophy - Nori - New Zealand
2. John Callen - Oin - New Zealand
3. Mark Hadlow - Dori - New Zealand
4. Peter Hambleton - Gloin - New Zealand
5. Stephen Hunter - Bombur - Australia
6. William Kircher - Bifur - New Zealand
7. Dean O'Gorman - Fili. - New Zealand
I want to take the reader back to a special Press Conference which took place in Wellington on February 11th, 2011, just prior to the start of filming.
Source: Linuxelf1 on Youtube
Here is a transcript of Sir Peter Jackson's introduction. (If you recall, he was in hospital after requiring emergency surgery for a ruptured ulcer).
FEBRUARY 11TH 2011
MESSAGE FROM PETER JACKSON
I’d like to welcome everyone to this first opportunity to meet many of the key cast of The Hobbit. I’d love to be with you all this morning but I’m currently under a medical form of house arrest to prevent me from overdoing it until fully recovered from my recent operation. I’ll be jumping back into it very soon and to be honest the guys that you’ll be talking to this morning make me laugh so hard right now I’d be in danger of popping a few stitches.
We take casting very seriously on every film we make and we couldn’t be more delighted with the group of wonderful actors we have gathered here. Those of you who are familiar with 'The Hobbit' will know the importance of the comradeship between Bilbo and each of his 13 dwarf adventurers. I couldn’t be more excited about working with these actors and the others soon to join us. I’m feeling that these movies are going to be something very special.
Cheers
Peter J
I don't for one second believe Peter Jackson would be in favour of leaving seven of his dwarf cast members at home while he attends the World Premiere. As he states above, the essence of the movie is centred around "the importance of the comradeship between Bilbo and each of his 13 dwarf adventurers". The decision not to invite these actors to the World Premiere must have come from somebody who simply does not understand the story and the meaning of comradeship! Like their characters, these actors have all been on a journey together for almost three years. To separate them and deny them the opportunity to be together for one last time goes against the whole point of 'The Hobbit'.
Bring all the actors to the London World Premiere. It is meaningless to have half the Company of Dwarves attend only!