New Zealand Really Likes 'The Hobbit': Peter Jackson Cameos In Air New Zealand Safety Vid & Gollum Gets Airport Sculpture

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by Kevin Jagernauth
October 31, 2012 11:43 AM
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Holy Middle Earth! It's safe to say that New Zealand and Peter Jackson are in the midst of love affair, with the director bringing shine and interest to the country thanks to shooting his "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy in the country, utilizing their pristine natural settings. And while there was a brief moment when it looked like that relationship was going to be frayed, with a labor dispute finding Jackson threatening to take "The Hobbit" movies elsewhere, all ended well. And with the first of the trilogy set to hit theaters in just over a month, Jackson and New Zealand have solidified their friendship.

The director pops up in a cameo in a "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"-themed safety video for Air New Zealand. Uh, weird. Co-produced by WETA Workshop, it takes flyers through all the safety features and what to do in case Denzel Washington is flying the plane, all with a panflute score and, oh hey, Peter Jackson popping up. If you like undercooked Middle Earth jokes combined with learning stuff you already know (unless you've never flown before), this is for you.

But that's not all. Once you board or leave Wellington, you'll be treated to an enormous sculpture (also by WETA) of Gollum reaching for a fish. “Wellington Airport feels like the home of Gollum after spending so many months here during the last three films,” Sir Richard Taylor told Stuff (via FilmDrunk). So there you go. Flight safety below.