Richard Armitage hears that Japanese chicks really dig tall guys at The Hobbit Japan press conference.

The road crew cut the fiber optics supplying my internet access.  I’m working with shaky, intermittent internet and 3G access on my iPhone.  Definitely not a happy camper, but back to the man of the hour.

Live streaming at The Hobbit Japan press conference apparently sucked but I’m hearing the video quality for downloading is much better. Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman and RA held a  love fest, extolling each other’s virtues.  Clearly, the bromances still burn strongly.  Naturally, they would gush like that.  After all what could they say: “gah, I hated his guts,” “he hogged my shot every time,” or “I’ll need therapy for the next 10 years because of him!”   However, they so struck me with their quiet sincerity, that my snarky heart paused to consider: How did RA feel being showered with such praise? Did his Thorin portrayal really shock and awe? What if he turned in a truly Oscar caliber performance worth of Best Supporting Actor his first time out?  Wow.  My fangurl heart fluttered briefly.  I hope not, mainly because winning an Oscar could be a professional kiss of death (Halle Berry any one?). On the other hand, it would be lovely to see him offered quality artistic roles worthy of his skills.  But happily my snarky heart jolted back to life, and I’m just fine now.

I turned my attention to what was really important – his clothes!  Unfortunately, poor screen cap quality makes it difficult to tell if he’d recovered from the ARIAs misstep, but he was rocking another expensively black, casual  jacket, so I’ll give him props for that.

Next up: the Japan Hobbit premiere.  It starts during the middle of the night my time, a mountain that even this intrepid reporter probably won’t climb.  Europeans, take it away!

***

Hang on now!

Want to congratulate him?  Why not join the gift bombing of his Justgiving page?  Show him and the world you care.

You know you want to.

Richard Armitage weathering the gauntlet at The Hobbit premiere in Wellington. Courtesy of richardarmitagecentral.co.uk

RA sent a new message to RichardArmitageOnline.  For those of you too tired to click, here is the message:

“Dear Friends,

So I am sitting in my hotel room from which I can see a very long red carpet and The Embassy Theatre. I am nervous, excited and quite emotional, the day has arrived when we can finally present our work for everyone to hopefully enjoy.

I wanted to say thank you for the continuing support that I receive from everyone who visits Annette’s brilliant site, and those others which have popped up over the last few years and months. It means so much to me to have that support. I truly hope you all enjoy The Hobbit, I tried to respect the responsibility that taking on this role presented to me, my fellow cast members are all spectacular in the story and we send out our work to you in the hope that you can take your friends and family to see a great event in the cinema.

I look forward to saying thank you, at the various premiers over the next few weeks.

See you on the Red Carpet.

Much love
Richard

fumblingly sent from my iPad:

Enjoy yourself RA.  Congratulations.

That about wraps it up for the evening, don’t you think?

EDIT: The last line was added later.  Your suppositions are as good as mine, but mine is better: most likely an oversight in posting.

Hang on there, where are you going?

Thorin wants you, too!

Show RA how deeply he touched you with this lovely gesture by Gift Bombing his JustGiving page.   He, and countless others, will love you for it.

All times here are Central Standard Time because, you know, that’s the center of the world.  This post will be updated as the evening progresses to make following easier.

The chatroom is open here.

8:27PM

In the last few hours, there’s been a press conference and song sung by Neil Flynn.  Other than that, nobody seems to know what’s going on. Need to dig for pretty pictures.

8:54PM

They are late starting.  Streaming is showing costumed crowds along the long red carpet.. wait, they are finally arriving!!!!!

8:57PM

The reporters are out welcoming the viewers, followed by a long Hobbit trailer to whet the appetite. Sounds like a long voice over by RA and Ian McKellan.

9:00PM

I believe Neil Finn begins with a few songs on a coolly decorated stage.  Have never seen this kind of film premiere before.  Looks like a gorgeous summer afternoon.

9:09PM

Goodness, this is turning into  Crowded House concert. Personally, I prefer that they cut to the chase -the stars of the film.  Not that I’m biased or anything.

9:18PM

I’ve been enlightened this is a mini Neil Finn concert.  Then it REALLY begins.  Can’t wait to see what Cate Blanchett wears.  Yes, I’m lying.

9:22PM

Finn sings Lonely Mountain.  People in chat complain that Richard Armitage, er, the cast could have sung it better.  No bias or anything.  Meanwhile, Gandalf still stands at the hobbit’s door, waiting to knock.  His arm must be getting tired.

9:28PM

Meanwhile over on TORn fans are asking what’s so special about RA.  Oh ho.  Neil Finn was trying to get the crowd to sing.  They seem tired too.

9:30PM

Peter Jackson emerges from his limo to instantly get swept into fan autographs.  The interviewer manages to peel him away.   He waves to the people of Wellington.  They seem to love him.  Aww, they introduce his daughter Katy.

9:37PM

The next limo pulls up and it’s… Phillipa Boyens looking lovely in a black pantsuit.

9:40PM

The next one up is…Martin Freeman, all cleaned up  and actually matching … er… in a black leisure suit with pale pastel teal tie.  Unfortunately he’s kept on his sunglasses.  Hmm.

9:42PM

Up next is….. James Nesbitt with his daughter.  He’s looking fine in a dark suit and tasteful micro checkered tie.  RA is in the background being interviewed by another group.

Richard Armitage debuts on the world stage. Screen cap courtesy of meandrichardarmitage.wordpress.com

A wider view of the new movie star. Screen cap courtesy of meandrichardarmitage.wordpress.com

9:49PM

RA is there, looking FABULOUS in a dark navy Zegna suit, white shirt, and wine tie with a straight plain gold tie clip.  Hair looks good, mild scruff, twinkling eyes.  He seems to be a bit awed by it all. He saw the film for the first time on Sunday.  Working with the green screen required him to engage the imagination more.  When asked about being one of the “pin-ups”  in the film, he turned it off being a hot dwarf as in being really hot in their costumes.  Funny, dear.  And then he’s released to the crowd.  Was it my imagine or did the female interviewer seem to like him?

And then Andy Serkis and the cutie pie boys, Dean O’Gorman and Aidan Turner appear.  They are also looking quite ’60s in their dark suits and dark slim ties.  They joke about their bromance and fun on the project.  Aidan’s curls are back.  That’s all Aidan fans need to know.  Oh, and Elijah Wood, who loves to dress with like a nerd with the top button done.  And then the kiwi actors and then… oh hell, I’m done.

Wait!

11:05PM

RA again!  He never thought he would be picked to play a dwarf.  They partied a lot behind the scenes.  Now he makes his way towards the stage.  Oh boy, there’s more after all. Everybody seems to be interviewed every 250 feet. Except for RA.

11:51PM

Finally the official speeches begin with the mayor of Wellington and prime minister of New Zealand kissing major studio ass. Then the heads of MGM studios, who promised to keep it short -but lied. A streaker would have been nice.   I’ve never seen a movie premiere like this that been going for over THREE hours. Goodness.

12:00PM

Sir Peter finally takes the stage, walking through the hobbit door in Bag’s End. Then the introduction of the cast. First the old timers and then the newcomers including you know who.

12:13AM

They all pose in a row for pictures and then – it’s OVAH!  And after that, they have to sit through the movie.  Again.

Now, I have to mull over RA’s report card.  But first, I need to see his other interviews.

This is a quick away post and I can’t include fancy stuff like pics and links.  So, bear with me.

Today is the Big Day for Richard Armitage and the cast of The Hobbit in Wellington.  Tweet is jumping with chatter and TOrN is doing an hourly countdown.  Tumblr is going gif-wild.  Blogs are churning the suspense.  The tsunami of RA and TH press is more than making up for the long drought.  I will start liveblogging the event later so watch this space.  The chatroom is open to all for group watching of the festivities starting at 8:00PM CST.  If you’re the first to arrive, no worries.  Just sit tight, and they will come. 

I’m sure that RA is a bit nervous but filled with nothing but happy thoughts today.  Some fans have vocalized  trepidation and protectiveness towards him, but let’s remember that today is his Big Day and think only positive thoughts along with him. 

I suspect he would appreciate that more.

BTW, don’t forget to Gift Bomb his JustGiving page in lieu of flowers and gifts.  You know you want to!