[TRANSCRIPT] Live from London: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' premiere

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Gollum will be rubbing shoulders with members of the royal family at tonight's premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Event coverage is being provided by U.K. media company The Press Association.

His wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, will not be present as she continues to recover following a bout of severe pregnancy sickness.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:01:31 PM
Hundreds of Hobbit fans wait in the cold for hours to get a glimpse of the stars #paprem yfrog.com/kl26rtzj

by LeanneRinne via twitter 12/12/2012 5:05:25 PM
For those not familiar with JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, it is set some 60 years before The Lord of the Rings and centres on Bilbo Baggins (played by Martin Freeman).

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:07:51 PM
In the story, Bilbo tries to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from a dragon named Smaug as part of a clan of 13 dwarves.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:08:39 PM
Their journey takes them through lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs, Sorcerers and Gollum and his 'precious' ring.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:10:55 PM
Soon @IanMcKellen @Martin_Freeman and SirPeterJackson will be among the stars walking this green carpet #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97ckZLCAAA45r5.jpg

by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:11:05 PM
The UK premiere is a little under two hours away and soon director Peter Jackson and the cast will be greeting fans.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:12:51 PM
While cinema-goers will have to wait until Thursday to watch the film, here's a link to the official trailer to whet appetites: www.youtube.com

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:14:27 PM
Filming of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey started in New Zealand in March 2011. Filming finished in July.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:16:19 PM
Peter Jackson will tell the story of The Hobbit in three films, with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug scheduled to be released in December next year.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:17:55 PM
Jackson chose to shoot the film at 48 frames per second rather than the industry standard of 24 to make the special effects and landscape shots look smoother.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:20:27 PM
The films enjoyed its world premiere in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 28. It was reported that 100,000 people turned up to watch the stars of the film arrive.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:22:27 PM
Air New Zealand, the country's national airline, released a Middle Earth-themed onboard safety video which proved to be something of an online hit.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:23:23 PM
For those of you who have not yet seen the clip, check it out here: www.youtube.com

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:24:38 PM
There are some journalists from the Czech Republic here, and the weather will be making them feel at home #chilly #paprem

by DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:25:43 PM
Blanchett's in a backless dress, brave on a night like this #parky #paprem

by DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:35:03 PM
Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum, also here #paprem

by DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:35:07 PM
Sir Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf, has also arrived.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:37:07 PM
RT @DomsWildThings: Hope every1 waiting at Leicester sq is surviving the cold! I'm gonna get there as early as possible to meet u all x
#thehobbit
#LOTRloyals

by lifeincartoon via twitter 12/12/2012 5:39:27 PM
The film has received mixed reviews from and while most critics concede that it is visually stunning, a recurring gripe seems to be that, at two hours and 49 minutes, the film is overly long.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:43:03 PM
Old school.
#thehobbit
#LOTRloyals
#domswildthings pbs.twimg.com/media/A97M5gTCAAAvhdo.jpg

by DomsWildThings via twitter 12/12/2012 5:43:10 PM
That there is Dominic Monaghan - one of the stars of The Lord of the Rings trilogy - looking dapper ahead of his appearance at tonight's showpiece.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:44:55 PM
Stephen Hunter who plays Bombur the dwarf told us meeting Cate Blanchett on set turned him to jelly #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97pmfPCcAA18hW.jpg

by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:45:48 PM
Richard Armitage (Spooks) and James Nesbitt (Cold Feet) are here, both play dwarves in the film. #paprem

by DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:45:59 PM
Damon Smith, a film critic from the Press Association, awarded the film a rating of six out of 10.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:49:07 PM
Smith wrote: "Visually stunning flashbacks, which fail to advance the plot, are roughly hewn into a sprawling narrative that doesn't kick into second gear for a good 45 minutes."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:50:21 PM
He went on to write: "The decision to shoot the film in 3D at the higher rate of 48 frames per second compared to the usual 24 frames will divide audiences."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:51:31 PM
Martin Freeman has told Sky News that The Hobbit is likely to be the biggest film he is ever involved in.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:52:11 PM
He quipped "sexual" when asked what it was like to wear hobbit feet.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:53:11 PM
@mcfly are here looking dapper in matching velvet jackets #paprem

by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:53:39 PM
Cate Blanchett says she is "cold, but very excited" to be at the premiere.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:54:55 PM
Blanchett went on to say: "It was relief to put the [elf] ears back on."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:55:31 PM
More from Damon Smith: "Everything looks cleaner and crisper - you can see the stitching on Gandalf's hat and prosthetics in minute detail - but this might be too much heightened reality for a sweeping fantasy that romanticises the bonds of trust between gung-ho brothers."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 5:56:47 PM
Cate Blanchett's message to The Hobbit fans: "You are in for an absolute, absolute treat. It is a very special film."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:00:15 PM
Sir Ian McKellen has urged people to go see the film, saying: "It's a wonderful picture for the holidays."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:02:15 PM
One hour to go before the film gets underway.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:02:47 PM
When asked if he was nervous about playing Bilbo Baggins, Martin Freeman said: "No, I had no nerves about taking the part because I knew Pete [Jackson] really wanted me and that relaxes you a lot."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:04:43 PM
Cate Blanchett has run inside - she looks chilly in that backless dress #paprem

by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 6:04:59 PM
@antonycotton told us @IanMcKellen invited him on set and gave him a tour of #MiddleEarth #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97uAXCCcAAeas8.jpg

by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 6:05:08 PM
In a message to fans considering seeing the film when it comes out on Thursday, Freeman said: "I dare you to be disappointed. You won't be."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:06:59 PM
RT @PAshowbiz: James Nesbitt admitted he was daunted moving to New Zealand but ended up loving it #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97t1KQCEAAgkoc.jpg

by USDannyDyerFan via twitter 12/12/2012 6:07:12 PM
Richard Armitage (Thorin) on working with Peter Jackson: "He's really innovative with what he does with a camera."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:09:23 PM
Speaking about the film, Armitage said: "It's a completely new cinematic experience."

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:10:19 PM
As they say, save the best for last ! #TheHobbit Premiere here in #London is going to be a ripper.

RT #UK #TeamBombur

by Stephen Hunter via twitter 12/12/2012 6:14:27 PM
Love is in the air this evening as a man made good use of the green carpet by proposing to his girlfriend at the premiere.

by Leo Stevens, Press Association 12/12/2012 6:16:39 PM