Oscar-winning film-maker Quentin Tarantino is heading to New Zealand for the first time, announcing he will walk the red carpet at the premiere for his new film The Hateful Eight in Auckland.
Tarantino will join Kiwi star Zoe Bell, who plays Six Horse Judy in the Western, at Newmarket's Event Cinemas on January 20.
Waiheke-raised Bell is often referred to as Tarantino's muse, working with the director on five films, including Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and 2, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds and now The Hateful Eight.
One of Hollywood's most sought-after stuntwomen, Bell has moved into acting in recent years.
"It's purely an acting role," Bell told Britain's Independent newspaper about her latest part.
"It's a smaller role but she is a very fun character."
Also starring Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the film centres on a group of outlaws who get trapped in a blizzard in Wyoming.
The film, which is Tarantino's eighth, is set to be one of his last, with the director announcing he will stop making films after his 10th. Instead, he plans to write novels and books about film.
Released last month in America, the film has received largely positive reviews with Richard Roeper declaring it "one of the best movies of the year".