A TV adaptation of part of Terry Brooks’ distant-future fantasy series Shannara will be shot at Auckland Film Studios in New Zealand by MTV Networks and Sonar Entertainment. Tommy Lee Jones’ historical feature Emperor is among the recent movies to have shot in the city.
DreamWorks is preparing to shoot historical drama The Light Between Oceans on location in New Zealand. The movie will feature Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weisz as a couple on a remote Australian island after World War I who adopt an infant they find in a washed-up boat.
A new series of children’s superhero drama Power Rangers will return to film on location in Auckland and is set to boost the country’s TV industry. Power Rangers Dino Charge will be the highest-profile international TV series to film in New Zealand since the incentive programme was increased.
New Zealand’s move to keep filming rebates static at 15% is causing concern for Auckland’s production industry. The government has reduced spending thresholds on its filming grants rather than increasing the rebates, prompting fears that shows of the calibre of Spartacus will go elsewhere.
Disney’s big-budget feature production of The Lone Ranger built Western sets for extensive filming in New Mexico. Based on the classic 1950s TV series, the film features Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as Ranger John Reid.
[slideshow id=343]Douglas Dresser’s career in location management goes back to the early 90s and hit television drama Renegade. Over the years he has worked several times with Quentin Tarantino and most recently with M Night Shyamalan on After Earth.