Under a Hobbit spell: Wellington to lose name in favor of a movie

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Published time: October 08, 2012 15:35
Edited time: October 08, 2012 20:04

New Zealand's capital will be renamed after the fictional setting of Middle-earth to celebrate the world premiere of the Hobbit saga film. "The Middle of Middle-earth" is Wellington’s new unofficial name for three weeks before and after the premiere.

­The magic name will be reflected on postmarks on letters and the masthead of Wellington’s main newspaper.

The city is planning to spend $900,000 to mark the world premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", AP reported. Directed by the city’s famous resident Peter Jackson, the hobbit saga was filmed throughout New Zealand.

"Thousands of people want to come and be part of the fun," Mayor Celia Wade-Brown was quoted as saying. She noted that Jackson, the man behind King Kong, has helped create a film industry in the capital that now employs over 3,000 people.

The Hobbit series chronologically precedes Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the brainchild of author J.R.R. Tolkien.