Lord of the Rings Wizard not enchanted by 'Wellywood'

.Sir Ian McKellen, who played the famous wizard in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, says he is baffled by Wellington Airport's effort to erect the sign, which would mimic the famous Hollywood version.

"I think that would be a very odd sign to put up," he told The Dominion Post from London yesterday.

"It isn't like New Zealand film-makers want to be like the American film industry – they absolutely don't," he said. Wellington was "stuffed with people who don't want to work in Hollywood".

If a new sign was going anywhere, it should be in Hollywood itself, given the success of Wellington film-makers in Los Angeles, he said.

"It would be more appropriate if, in LA, they were to change their sign to `Hollington' or `Holy-amar' [after Miramar] or something."

As for a better option for Wellington, Sir Ian went back to his Rings days. "Middle-earth – I'd approve of that," he said.

Plans for the Wellywood sign were revealed in The Dominion Post last month.

Backed by director Sir Peter Jackson and Mayor Kerry Prendergast, it was designed to stand 3.5 metres high and stretch 28m along the hill near the Miramar Cutting.

However, a public outcry followed, including one poll in which 80 per cent of respondents called the sign "tacky".

The airport has agreed to consider other options – but says it will stick with Wellywood if nothing better is suggested.

Sir Ian also confirmed filming of The Hobbit had been delayed. Shooting was due to start this month.