Fans camp overnight to catch glimpse of The Hobbit stars

British actor Freeman, who plays the character Bilbo Baggins, poses on the red carpet in Wellington. Credit: Stringer /Reuters

Tens of thousands of fans dressed in medieval costumes camped overnight to catch a glimpse of the stars from new film The Hobbit at the movie's world premiere.

The red carpet theatre screening of the "Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey" in Wellington, New Zealand, the place where director Peter Jackson created most of the film's post production, was decorated with scenes from the adventure and character artwork.

New Zealand has virtually claimed the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings as national treasures and emblems since Jackson started making the Oscar-winning movies, based on the epic fantasy books of J.R.R Tolkien, more than 12 years ago.

Hundreds of revellers camped out overnight ahead of the premiere. Credit: Reuters

The first film of Jackson's Hobbit trilogy is set 60 years before "The Lord of The Rings" and was originally planned as only two movies before it was decided that there was enough material to justify a third.

Fans can't hide their excitement as they wait for the stars to arrive. Credit: Reuters

Many of the film's stars flew in for the premiere, including British actor Martin Freeman, who plays the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, and Elijah Wood.

Elijah Wood at the world premiere of the film in New Zealand. Credit: Reuters

The film opens on December 14 this year and will be swiftly followed by the second and third instalments in the trilogy over the course of the next two years.

Watch the film's trailer here: