New Zealand's charm has captured the hearts of Hollywood stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, who recently filmed their action-packed comedy, "The Wrecking Crew," in the stunning landscapes of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
In this movie, Momoa and Bautista play estranged half-brothers who must come together after their father's unexpected passing, uncovering a web of family secrets in the process. Despite the Hawaiian setting, the majority of the film was shot in New Zealand, with Auckland standing in for Honolulu in large-scale action scenes, car chases, and thrilling stunt sequences.
"New Zealand has become a special place for me," Momoa shared in an exclusive interview with 1News. "It feels like home. I plan to spend the rest of my life there, and I'm doing my best to bring as many movie projects as possible until the Kiwis let me stay permanently!"
Bautista, who spent several months in New Zealand during filming, echoed Momoa's sentiments. "Filming can be a stressful experience, with long days and high pressure. But having the luxury of being in such a laid-back and chill location during our days off was incredible. The crew here has an amazing energy, that island attitude, and after spending months there, I fell in love with it too."
The production of "The Wrecking Crew" brought significant economic benefits to Auckland, employing over 1400 local cast and crew members and providing a boost to local businesses in hospitality, accommodation, retail, and construction.
The film was shot across various locations in the region, from the rugged beauty of the west coast beaches to the vibrant city streets, with familiar spots transformed into captivating cinematic backdrops for international audiences.
Both stars praised the incredible talent of New Zealand's actors, including Temuera Morrison, Frankie Adams, and Roimata Fox. Bautista spoke highly of Morrison, calling him a personal inspiration. "He gave me some invaluable advice early in my career, which I still use today. He holds a special place in my heart; he's just a genuinely good person."
Momoa agreed, saying, "Working with Kiwi actors was one of the highlights of this film. If it were up to me, Temuera would be in every movie. Frankie absolutely killed it, and Roimata's talent was so evident that I hired her on the spot. These are my people."
On screen, Momoa and Bautista portray brothers with a strained relationship, a dynamic that both actors found easy to embody. "We don't have any animosity towards each other at all," Momoa explained. "There's a mutual respect between us. We're both artists, and people often put us in a box because of our size, but we're passionate about our craft."
Bautista added, "Jason feels like a huge little brother to me. We have different energies, and that's what makes our dynamic work on screen."
With "The Wrecking Crew" now available globally on Prime Video as of January 28th, Momoa teased the possibility of future collaborations with Bautista in New Zealand. "We've got two and three to come up, right?" he joked.
So, will we see more of this dynamic duo on the big screen in New Zealand? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the Kiwis have left a lasting impression on these Hollywood stars.
