Hollywood studios have partnered with New Zealand organisations to bring the new large-scale production of the epic adventure Mortal Engines to the big screen.
Mortal Engines. Photo: Facebook / Peter Jackson
The partnership between studios Universal Pictures and MRC (Media Rights Capital) with the Film Commission and Education New Zealand gave the film producers an extra tax break of five percent, in addition to the initial 20 percent tax incentive to film the action movie in New Zealand.
The announcement follows the release of the teaser trailer for the film, which features New Zealand director Christian Rivers and producers Zane Weiner, Amanda Walker, Deborah Forte, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson.
Film Commission chief executive Dave Gibson said the partnership provided considerable economic benefits and would also strengthen the international perception of the screen industry.
"Mortal Engines gives us the opportunity to profile the New Zealand screen industry on the world stage including our talented pool of actors, experienced crew, and facilities. In doing so, this showcases that New Zealand can cater for large scale full-service productions," he said.
Mr Rivers said New Zealand was chosen as the location for Mortal Engines because of its world class crew, talent, technicians and facilities.
"It's a testament to the skill, talent and imagination of New Zealand crews that they are able to completely fabricate these other worlds that have never been seen before," he said.
More than 1000 New Zealanders, including crew, cast, craftspeople and nearly all the heads of departments, worked on the film.
Mortal Engines, which is based on Philip Reeve's 2001 book, opens worldwide in December 2018.
The teaser trailer can be viewed here.
