Rings stars off to Hollywood

2003-12-02 14:20

New Zealand - Lord of the Rings stars thanked fans at Wellington airport on Tuesday with a short farewell dance before flying to Los Angeles and the Hollywood premiere for the third movie in the trilogy.

Hundreds of people crammed the airport to catch final glimpses of the cast from The Return of the King as they left after taking part in the world premiere in this capital city. Some 100 000 people jammed the streets to fete the stars on Monday.

"It's amazing. The whole experience has just been the most precious time ever," said Orlando Bloom, who plays Elf warrior Legolas.

Bloom led co-stars, including Sir Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen in a goodbye dance for excited fans.

Others to leave on the flight were Hobbits Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Sam) and his seven-year-old daughter Alexandra (who plays Eleanor Gamgee in the film's final scenes), Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry), and Andy Serkis (Gollum).

Actress Liv Tyler (Arwen) was first on the tarmac, looking surprised but delighted at the large crowd.

Television New Zealand's Holmes show on Tuesday ran an interview with the great grandson of Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, who played a cameo part in the third movie.

Royd Tolkien who played a warrior of Gondor, said "it was great, it was a delight, the experience of being directed by Peter Jackson".

At Monday's premiere of The Return of the King Tolkien said it was "so emotional I cried like a baby. Literally for the last half hour of the film I was just ... gushing. Incredible."

- AP