Bloom-ing great news for sisters

Orlando Bloom's return to New Zealand can't come soon enough for Caitlin and Kerry Salter.

The 18-year-old twins first saw Bloom in 2003 when they staked out a Wellington hotel to get a glimpse of the English heart-throb before the premiere of the final movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Seven years later, the Seatoun residents have finished school, enrolled at university and changed their tastes in music, clothes and other things.

But one fascination remains - Orlando Bloom. "Yeah, I guess I am still a fan," Caitlin says.

She was thrilled to hear Bloom, who is married to Australian model Miranda Kerr, would star as elf Legolas in Sir Peter Jackson's Hobbit movies.

Sir Peter confirmed on his Facebook page yesterday that Bloom would reprise his role from the Lord of the Rings.

"I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again," said Sir Peter.

"Funny thing is, I look older - and he doesn't. I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf."

The casting brought positive publicity for the shoot, after the so-called Curse of the Hobbit struck again when two crew members were injured after an explosion at the Wellington studios on Tuesday.