Written by on Jan 7, 2014. Posted in On Location

Tobey Maguire movie Z for Zachariah to film on location in New Zealand

Tobey Maguire is a producer on new post-apocalyptic feature Z for Zachariah, which will start filming on location in New Zealand in the next few weeks. Based on a 1974 children’s novel by Robert O’Brien, the story takes place in a remote valley in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.

Director Craig Zobel chose the Canterbury region of South Island after a location scout with Film New Zealand and local line producer Murray Francis, who has previously worked on productions including the prehistoric epic 10,000 BC.

“New Zealand offers a great variety of options for this type of film - in particular we needed to match some of the more beautiful parts of the US,” said Zobel: “New Zealand is epic and picturesque, with the lush and vibrant nature this story requires. There are so many different looks close together that you can only get in a place like this.”

“We are thrilled such a prestigious project is coming to New Zealand,” added Gisella Carr, Chief Executive of Film New Zealand: “To see a seminal piece of children’s literature brought to the screen here with a celebrated cast and production team is tremendous.

“This announcement represents a classic team effort by the New Zealanders involved, line producer Murray Francis, Film New Zealand’s specialist enquiries team and the local authorities through their regional film offices Film Auckland and Film Otago/Southland are all to be commended.”

The news comes shortly after the New Zealand government announced an expansion of the national filming incentive programme, along with confirmation that James Cameron (above) will film three Avatar sequels locally. Cameron and his production team will spend at least NZD500 million in New Zealand in an official Memorandum of Understand with the government.

To read The Location Guide's interview with Gisella Carr click here.