The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King (2003) is the triumphant finale of director Peter Jackson’s beloved Middle-earth trilogy. Serving worldwide audiences with jaw-dropping battle scenes at Minas Tirith, the hellish Crack of Mount Doom, and a very welcome return to the Shire for Frodo and his companions.  

The film achieved a historic clean sweep of the 2004 Oscars, with Wētā Workshop winning an Academy Award for Best Make-up. Our efforts were also recognised by the British Academy Film & TV Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Make-up and Hair; and at the Saturn Awards for Best Make-up. 

Wētā Workshop worked on the project for six years, creating enough armour, weaponry, props, costumes and prosthetics for entire armies of Middle-earth. Our work included the physical manufacture of tens of thousands of pieces for the legendary three-film series shot on location across New Zealand.