Jobs for elves and soldiers in Lord of the Rings

WELLINGTON - Lord of the Rings casting director Liz Mullane has unexpectedly and publicly opened the doors for new extras wanting to find a place in the Peter Jackson-directed film trilogy.

Mullane, fresh from accompanying the films' huge cast at a shoot on Mt Ruapehu, has been back on the streets of Wellington looking out for talent.

Issuing an invitation to a new batch of hopefuls - "the more the better" - to present themselves between 11 am and 3 pm at the New Zealand Dance and Drama centre in Wellington on Saturday and Sunday, she warned that this could be "the last opportunity."

Unlike previous auditions, this search would be for specific body types: "very tall, slim people and soldier types."

Mullane, well-known as a comedian on Issues, More Issues and That Comedy Show before she joined the Jackson team, said the need was mainly for elves and the warrior Uruk-hais.

Elves were "tall and slim, very beautiful and stylish, 5ft 10in [1.8m] and over"; the soldier types should be of "good, fit sorts of build, 5ft 9in [1.75m] and over."

Both men and women were wanted, though men were preferred for the soldiers.

"Hobbits are out," Mullane said. "We have no need for children at this stage."

- NZPA