New Zealanders to See 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' on Nov. 28

5:36 AM PDT 6/6/2012 by Pip Bulbeck

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Warner Bros.

Peter Jackson’s hometown of Wellington will host the world premiere of the first of the two Hobbit films.

SYDNEY -- The world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of Warner Bros.' two ground-breaking Hobbit movies, will take place Nov. 28 in Wellington, New Zealand, two weeks ahead of its Dec. 14 worldwide rollout.

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The films are being made in Wellington at director-producer Peter Jackson’s Stone Street Studios facility, with principal photography due to finish by the end of July, NZ news site stuff.co.nz reported.

“I know I speak for a company of hobbits, dwarves, elves and orcs when I say that this city holds a special place in all our hearts,” Jackson told stuff.

"We cannot think of a more perfect way to send The Hobbit off into the world than to celebrate with a huge party here in Wellington, where the journey began."

Ten minutes of the unfinished 3D film debuted at CinemaCon in April. The films have been shot at 48 frames per second, double the standard frame rate, making it “more gentle on the eyes,” according to Jackson.

The confirmation of the premiere date came as Jackson this week received the highest honor that a New Zealander can receive: a member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ) in the Queens Birthday Honors List. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2010, becoming Sir Peter Jackson.

Alongside Jackson’s award, fellow Oscar winner and Weta Digital director Joe Letteri was named an honorary officer of the Order of New Zealand and Bret Mackenzie was named an officer of the Order of New Zealand for his services to music.