Blanchett shocked by 'Rings' fame

Cate Blanchett says she was surprised to see so many people associate her with the small role she plays in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

"I've been on a couple of (press) junkets now, and every single journalist asks about it, and it's fantastic," the star of "The Missing" and "Veronica Geurin" told United Press International in a recent interview.

"It's quite a phenomenon, and I'm so pleased to be part of it in my little way. But I haven't seen (the third film.) And look, I'm in it so little. I was only there for three weeks. But (Director) Peter Jackson is an absolute genius, in the true, full, rich sense of the word. That word is so overused, but he really is."

Although not set for release in the United States until later this month, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the final installment of the epic, is already garnering Oscar buzz. Blanchett plays the pivotal role of Galadriel in the trilogy.