Reimagined “Pete’s Dragon” Begins Production in New Zealand

Yesterday it was announced that an updated, reimagined version of the Disney Classic Pete’s Dragon began production in New Zealand. The film is scheduled to release in the US in August, 2016.

The original version of Pete’s Dragon, released in 1977, combined live-action and hand drawn animation to tell the story of an orphaned boy named Pete who has a special bond with Elliot, a dragon. In homage to that, the new movie will combine live action and CGI animation.

Here are some more details from the official press release:

The new film stars Bryce Dallas Howard (The Help) as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; 10-year-old Oakes Fegley (This is Where I Leave You) as Pete; Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games) as Jack, a local mill owner; New Zealand native Karl Urban (Star Trek: Into Darkness) as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Oscar winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier,All the President’s Men) as Grace’s father.

Pete’s Dragon is directed by David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) and produced by Jim Whitaker, with Barrie Osborne serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. WETA Digital, the visual effects company founded by filmmaker Peter Jackson based in New Zealand, will utilize the latest in digital effects to bring the dragon, Elliott, to life. The film is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters August 12, 2016.

“This is a story about how magic can enter one’s life and change the way they see the world. And I think David Lowery is the perfect director to bring this project to life,” says Whitaker.

The production begins shooting in and around Wellington before moving north to the Rotorua area, and will complete principal photography in the South Island communities of Tapanui and Invercargill. Film New Zealand, the country’s national film office and sister agency Film Wellington assisted the Walt Disney Studios in assessing and confirming New Zealand for the production.

“New Zealand has long been a wonderful partner for film production. Wellington’s state-of-the-art facilities and filmmaker-friendly community, in particular, make it an ideal location to shoot and be based out of,” says Osborne.

Personally, I would love to see some of the original songs used in this new movie. Although I don’t know how they could top fun performances by Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, and Red Buttons.

What do you think of this new movie? Were you a fan of the old movie? Let us know.