May 23, 2001
Lord of the Rings Theme Park
Planned
Staff Reporter
A theme park based around JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy of books is being planned in Wellington, New Zealand.
The mayor of the city is hoping to capitalise on the anticipated success of the film adaptation which has been shot in the country.
The first film in the series - which were shot back to back in New Zealand - is due for release at the end of the year.
The trilogy is reported to have cost up $300m (£210m)and will be released over the next three years.
The location shooting has generated enormous interest in New Zealand and a trailer was shown recently at the Cannes film festival.