Hollywood heads to NZ for new films

Michelle Rodriguez is currently in NZ to film the James Cameron production 'Avatar'. Photo / Reuters

New Zealand appears to be the shooting location du jour this summer, with four major feature films set to be shot in Godzone.

Titanic director James Cameron's latest production is currently underway in Wellington, where actors have been spotted dressed in camouflage get up.

The 3D film science fiction thriller, titled Avatar, stars Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver and is reported to have a budget of $200 million.

Filming of the movie is scheduled throughout November at the Stone Street Studios, according to the New Zealand Film and Video Technicians' Guild website.

Meanwhile, further south, Queenstown locals will also get a taste of Hollywood as Hugh Jackman prepares to star as Wolverine in an X-Men spin-off.

Prep for the film is reportedly underway with filming scheduled to begin on December 10.

Peter Jackson's much talked-about new film The Lovely Bones, starring Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg, will begin a five-week shoot in Wellington from January 28 next year.

Finally, the NZFTG have confirmed that a third instalment of Underworld - the vampire thriller starring Kate Beckinsale - will be filmed in New Zealand next year.

Underworld 3: The Rise Of The Lycans will directed by Patrick Tatopoulos, however, Beckinsale will not reprise her role as the vampire heroine Selene.

- NZHERALD STAFF