Waitaki likely locale for Disney filming
Hundreds expected to work on movie
THE Ahuriri River Valley and Tekapo are firming as locations for the Disney movie Mulan.
Wellington director Niki Caro is set to film the liveaction remake of the animated feature on location from late September through to the end of October or early November, according to the Omarama Gazette.
Between 400 and 500 people are expected to move into the area, and demand for accommodation in Omarama is heavy.
Waitaki District Council Chief executive Fergus Power confirmed to the Gazette by email yesterday the council had received an inquiry from Cric ket Hop Productions NZ Ltd regarding a potential filming location in the Ahuriri Valley.
‘‘No consent applications have been lodged with council as of today.
‘‘Until such time as we are in receipt of a resource consent application (should one eventuate), I naturally cannot confirm any of the detail you refer to.’’
Disney Enterprises owns Cricket Hop Productions.
Disney had originally planned to release Mulan last November. Part of the filming, to be undertaken in New Zealand, has been delayed several times. Other filming is to be in China.
Caro’s films include Whale Rider, The Zookeeper’s Wife and North Country.
Earlier this year, a new release date of March 27, 2020 was announced by Walt Disney Studios.
Mulan retells the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, a woman who disguises her identity to save her father. She becomes a legendary warrior.
Disney produced the animated version of the fim in 1998.