By Nick Perry
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) --Director Peter Jackson said Wednesday he's putting his energy into helping launch a museum to commemorate World War I after finishing his "Hobbit" movie trilogy.
If he has any plans for future blockbusters, he's not saying.
Jackson was speaking at his New Zealand post-production facility where he was helping host an event to promote the local film industry. Directors Jane Campion and James Cameron also attended.
Jackson is a World War I history buff who owns a number of planes from the era.
He said the plan for the Wellington museum was to open during April to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli battle.
He said more galleries would be opened over the coming four years to mark other battles in which New Zealanders fought.
The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported earlier that Jackson had been recruited by the government to curate the museum, and he was expected to gather aircraft, tanks and other artifacts from private and public collections.
"That's where most of my time is now, which is good," Jackson said Wednesday. "It's fun. And it's free. The exhibits will be very, very interesting, and I'm enjoying it."
Jackson said he was also enjoying getting some rest after finishing the "Hobbit" — although he wasn't entirely done, because he was still working on an extended version for DVD release.
But he said he was happy to take a break from new film projects for a while.
"It's the first time in five years that I haven't woken up in the morning and had deadlines" he said. "… no phones ringing, screaming 'When are we going to see this? When are we going to do that? And I'd forgotten what that's like. So I'll let that last for a little bit longer before I destroy it."
The trilogy finale, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," has earned $545.3 million globally after opening in most places in mid-December.
“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