Director Peter Jackson attended a red-carpet premiere of the final "Hobbit" film in Beijing on Tuesday, saying that he has been having a hard time getting used to the nickname "Peter the Great" affectionately given to him by Chinese fans.
Jackson was joined at the event by actor Richard Armitage, who said he would miss playing in the "Hobbit" trilogy and would now focus on his role in TV drama "Hannibal."
The New Zealand ambassador to China also gave a speech welcoming fans to visit his country, where the films were made.
"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" ends Jackson's massively successful six-film franchise that started with the 2001 release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Jackson was told about his "Peter the Great" nickname at a media event on Monday.
Jackson said then that when he was making "Lord of the Rings" he was thinking much more about fame, while making "The Hobbit" trilogy was experimental and personal.
"I didn't feel the need to prove myself in quite that way," he said. "Actually I just wanted to enjoy myself as a filmmaker. I wanted to learn. … It was a more personal journey for me."
More and more Hollywood actors and directors are visiting China on promotional tours as the country has grown into the second-biggest movie-going market after the United States.
Asked which Chinese movie stars he would like to work with, Jackson said: "Depending on what film I make in the future, if there is an opportunity to work with Chinese actors I would absolutely love to."
The final film from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" fantasy novel has earned more than $800 million in the U.S. and worldwide since it opened in December. It will be released in China on Friday.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More