New Zealand has been featured for the first time as the home of Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, scheduled to be released worldwide in late 2016.
A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, Pete’s Dragon is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon.
The film is directed by David Lowery and stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, New Zealand's own Karl Urban, Oona Laurence and Robert Redford.
In the first trailer of Pete’s Dragon released, New Zealand plays Millhaven, a logging town in the American Pacific Northwest.
Wellington - New Zealand’s thriving film capital, Maori cultural and cycling hub Rotorua, and fisherman’s paradise Tapanui all feature in the trailer.
Lonely Planet has described Wellington as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’. The town is also known as a centre of arts, coffee and craft beer.
The forest scenes for Pete’s Dragon were shot in Redwoods Forest in Rotorua; home to soaring Californian redwoods, which made it the perfect double for America. Redwoods Forest is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists. The track winds through the lush native forest and has spectacular views over the lakes and thermal wonders of Rotorua, making this a uniquely ‘Kiwi’ experience.
Rotorua is New Zealand’s cultural tourism hub, and is also known for its geothermal activity and adventure sports.
About Pete’s Dragon
A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. “Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Karl Urban (“Star Trek”), Oona Laurence (“Southpaw”) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”). The film, which is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”), is written by Lowery & Toby Halbrooks based on a story by Seton I. Miller and S.S. Field and produced by Jim Whitaker, p.g.a. (“The Finest Hours,” “Friday Night Lights”), with Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Great Gatsby”) serving as executive producer.
