Opening the ‘Hobbit’ door

Those who showed Wednesday for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” premiere in Wellington, New Zealand, were not to be disappointed by the scope of the film’s premiere. Tens of thousands of fans, many in elf ears or wizard hats, were witness to a red carpet a third of a mile long and a flyover by a “Hobbit”-themed Air New Zealand 777 jet as director Peter Jackson’s latest J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired effort was revealed Down Under.

Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins, bubbled with praise for his director.

“He’s done it again,” Freeman said in an Associated Press interview on the red carpet. “If it’s possible, it’s probably even better than ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ I think he’s surpassed it.”

Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Elijah Wood, who reprise their “Lord of the Rings” roles in “Hobbit,” made the scene, as well as Andy Serkis, well known for his portrayal of Gollum.

There was heavy “dwarf ” representation among the other cast members who showed, including Richard Armitage, who plays Thorin, along with Aidan Turner, Stephen Hunter, Dean O’Gorman, James Nesbitt, William Kircher, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Graham McTavish. Add to that list the wizard Radagast, played by Sylvester McCoy.

“The Hobbit” — the first installation of a trilogy — opens in the U.S. on Dec. 14.

Hagen Hopkins Getty Images PETER Jackson emerges from a Hobbit house outside “The Hobbit” screening.

Ross Setford Associated Press Hagen Hopkins Getty Images HUGO Weaving, left, and James Nesbitt at the theater in Wellington, New Zealand. Both are in the film.

Hagen Hopkins Getty Images ANDY Serkis, who plays Gollum, at the premiere.

Hagen Hopkins Getty Images EVANGELINE Lilly at the world premiere.

Hagen Hopkins Getty Images MARTIN Freeman on the red carpet.

CATE Blanchett reprised “Rings” role.