Sculptures depicted in a Hobbit-inspired style, slated for departure from a New Zealand airport.
For over a freakin' decade, travelers at Wellington Airport, New Zealand, have been greeted by some badass Hovering Eagle statues, inspired by those damn Hobbits. One of these sick sculptures even had Gandalf on its back, like he was King of the Fuckin' Skies.
These aerial titans, suspended from the roof by cables, debuted in 2013 to promote director Peter Jackson's Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" films. Filmed in New Zealand over 15 years, these epic flicks showcased the unreal New Zealand landscape that's drawn millions of overseas tourists.
Each eagle weighs over a ton and has a 50-foot wingspan, with an impressive 1,000 feathers. Originally feisty fighters and rescuers in the fantasy adventure films, these eagles became famous for watching over tourists.
But their reign comes to an end this Friday. Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke announced that it's time for these feathery badasses to take flight, making room for a new display. Clarke ain't shy about sharing his feelings: "It's gonna be emotional for us."
Fans are bummed about the eagles' departure. "It's breaking my heart!" Verity Johnson told The Associated Press, before begging for them to stay. Another traveler mentioned it'd be "un-New Zealand" to take them away.
The eagles will be dismantled and stored overnight, with their future uncertain. They were crafted by Wētā Workshop, the same peeps who created tens of thousands of props for Jackson's films. One eagle even met a mishap when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand's North Island in 2014, but no one got hurt.
Wellington Airport is working with Wētā Workshop on a new, Kiwi-themed replacement for the eagles, which'll be unveiled later this year. The beloved dragon sculpture, Smaug the Magnificent, will remain in the check-in area.
The removal of the eagles marks the end of an iconic chapter for visitors to this awesome airport in the land of the Kiwis.
[1] The New Zealand Herald, The Associated Press, Variety, Stuff.co.nz.
- The hundreds of thousands of tourists passing through Wellington Airport have long been fascinated by the colossal, wingspan-spanning Hovering Eagle statues, reminiscent of the towering creatures from Peter Jackson's movies-and-tv masterpieces, "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit."
- Each manged to pocket over a thousand dollars in revenues during their tenure, but soon, these cinematic eagles are resigned to quit their watch, making way for a new Kiwi-themed display.
- People have grown so attached to these Wingspan-gargantuan birds, one might say that losing them feels like reconsidering the very essence of Wellington's entertainment-drenched airport culture.
- As for the eagles' future plans, there's a discussion underway to reassemble them, maybe even in the heart of a movie studio or a museum, letting them inspire a generation of movie-makers and travelers alike once more.
