To get an Oscar would be an incredible moment in my career, there is no doubt about that. But the Lord of the Rings films are not made for Oscars, they are made for the audience.

One does not simply walk into Mordor.

For a lot of my childhood, I didn't want to direct movies because I didn't really know what directing was.

Elijah can register such subtle emotion on his face that I loved doing close-ups on him. He really brings a superb emotional level to Frodo's scenes and although he is a very instinctive actor, we discussed the character thoroughly.

Film is such a powerful medium. It's like a weapon and I think you have a duty to self-censor.

New Zealand is not used to wealth. In America wealth is kind of a thing of pride. Here it's the opposite. The more you've got, the bigger the target you are.

I was bullied and regarded as little bit of an oddball myself.