A casting call for the movie "Hobbit" shut down early and police had to be called in after far too many people turned up for the role of extras in the movie.

The location of the hall where the auditions were being held, near a state highway, had contributed to the situation.

According to Radio New Zealand, about 3000 people turned up, when the production company was expecting 1200.

"There was enough concern that police attended", news.com.au quoted Senior Sergeant Steve Braybrook as telling NZ Newswire.

More people turned up than expected at Belmont Hall in Lower Hutt and the organiser decided to "call it quits", he said.

"The way people were queuing was exposing them to risk and there were reports of people parking on side roads and crossing the motorway to get to the venue," he added.

About 800 people got through the door, 3News reported.

The production company was looking for men under 163cm and women under 155cm, big men with "character faces" over 175cm, men with large biceps, women with character faces and long hair.

Those playing elves were required to be slim and between 165cm and 203cm. (ANI)