When you think about film sets, the idea of visiting one might sound exciting, but the reality can often be quite different. Typically, these experiences involve a lot of waiting—often to the point of tedium—where you might find yourself observing an actor delivering lines that lack significance, all while crew members in casual attire remind you to keep quiet. Thus, my expectations were low when I was invited to witness the filming of The Wrecking Crew (https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/the-wrecking-crew-2026/). However, much to my delight, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, the movie follows two estranged brothers from Hawaii who come together after their father's enigmatic death. Filming took place mainly in New Zealand, particularly around Auckland, which effectively doubles for the Hawaiian Islands. Those familiar with the area will likely recognize Piha’s famous Lion Rock making an appearance in the trailer, even though it has been transformed to fit the Hawaiian aesthetic.
This film serves as a nostalgic nod to classic action comedies. My visit coincided with a large-scale shoot on Queen Street in South Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu, where the location had been converted into a bustling downtown Honolulu. This transformation was achieved mainly by changing signs and altering storefronts; for example, the Ōtāhuhu RSA was reimagined as a Chinese Takeaway, while CGI will later enhance the scene with towering buildings and lush mountains in the background.
During my visit, the crew was filming a gripping scene right after a dramatic collision between two massive trucks. A sleek black Dodge Ram was seen ramming into another sizable SUV, flipping it onto its side as it barreled down the street. In the midst of this chaos, Bautista, who played the driver of the flipped vehicle, performed a daring stunt by climbing out of his window and firing a gun at the driver of the Dodge—all while both vehicles raced down the road. He executed this stunt himself, secured by a harness that would be digitally removed in post-production.
As someone who grew up in the action-comedy boom of the 1980s and 90s, witnessing this high-octane scene unfold in real life felt like a dream come true. The sequence was shot multiple times, with Bautista appearing effortlessly composed throughout the entire process.
Although New Zealand boasts a highly skilled production crew, such vehicular stunts are not frequently seen here. To elevate local expertise, experienced stunt professionals from overseas were brought in to share their knowledge, aiming to enrich the skills of the local stunt performers for future projects.
The film also features a talented local cast, including Temuera Morrison as the governor of Hawaii, along with Roimata Fox and Frankie Adams. My second visit to the set took place later in November at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson, where the excitement continued.
In this particular scene, the antagonist, Marcus Robichaux, portrayed by Danish actor Claes Bang, has captured the characters played by Fox and Adams—who are respectively Bautista’s wife and cousin—and is taunting Momoa’s character via video call from his lair. This moment encapsulates the classic tropes of an action movie villain. However, it’s important to note that the female characters in this film are far from helpless; they hold their own in the confrontation.
During a break, Fox expressed her enthusiasm about being part of a local action comedy, stating, "As a Kiwi, it’s incredibly exciting to see this opportunity available to someone like me. It’s not just significant for my career but also for my son, as we both adore this genre—it’s simply amazing!"
She went on to share her experience working with Jason Momoa on a previous project, Chief of War (https://www.flicks.com.au/tv/chief-of-war-miniseries/), highlighting how impressive it is to witness his character evolve in The Wrecking Crew. She praised Bautista as a remarkable actor, saying, "Working with Dave has truly been a dream come true; he’s phenomenal."
Momoa has now completed his third consecutive film shot in New Zealand, following Minecraft (https://www.flicks.com.au/tv/minecraft-season-1/) and Chief of War (https://www.flicks.com.au/tv/chief-of-war-miniseries/). Fox noted his deep affection for New Zealand, remarking that he brings a genuine understanding of the local culture to the set, making him an “honorary Māori.” She added, “I can’t really picture Aotearoa without him anymore.”
Frankie Adams, a New Zealand Samoan actress known for her role in the acclaimed American sci-fi series The Expanse, and who will soon appear in the live-action adaptation of Moana (https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/moana-live-action/), shared her excitement about the project, even if she doesn’t consider herself a die-hard action film fan.
She commented, “I’m all about laughter—I’m not overly enthusiastic about watching fight scenes. Yet, there’s something about this combination that works, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.” Adams admitted to feeling a bit anxious about working alongside Momoa and Bautista, but reassured me that both actors were incredibly warm and welcoming, leading to lots of laughter on set. She believes that audiences, especially Kiwis, will appreciate the humor woven throughout the film: “There are genuinely funny moments… Watching the playful banter between Dave and Jason will surely be a joy for everyone.”
