Past Major Events - The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson and Saoirse Ronan being interviewed at the premiere

Wellington played host to some of Hollywood's biggest names at the New Zealand premiere of Peter Jackson's film, The Lovely Bones.

The film had its New Zealand premiere on Monday 14 December 2009 at Wellington's renowned Embassy Theatre in Courtenay Place.

Among the 758 guests to appear on the red carpet here were film director Peter Jackson, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, and Kiwi stars Rose McIver and Carolyn Dando. Other guests included New Zealand comedian Rhys Darby and film director Taika Waititi with James Rolleston, star of the New Zealand feature film Boy.

Starting at 6.00pm, the stars of the film and special guests walked the red carpet from the corner of Blair Street and Courtenay Place to the Embassy Theatre. An estimated 5,000 fans had the opportunity to see them and collect autographs on the red carpet.

Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones centres on a young girl who has been murdered and, from heaven, watches over her family and her killer. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

The Lovely Bones went on to be released in New Zealand cinemas on 26 December 2009.

This New Zealand premiere was the fifth red carpet celebration held at the Embassy Theatre since the Australasian premiere of the first The Lord of the Rings films in 2001.

The royal film performance and world premiere of The Lovely Bones was held in London on 26 November 2009.

Related Links

• News Release - 12.12.09
• News Release - 19.11.09
• The Lovely Bones website

Department Details:
Recreation and Events