The Wrecking Crew

Name: New Zealand Film Commission
Price range: $

With Hawai‘i on screen and Auckland on the ground, The Wrecking Crew is a sharp example of how New Zealand’s screen industry delivers scale, speed, and seamless location doubling.

International Production

Feature Action, Comedy

While the story is rooted in Hawai‘i, The Wrecking Crew was shot predominantly across New Zealand with the local screen sector delivering the on-the-ground craft and coordination needed for a big, action-driven feature. That partnership—spanning crew capability, production infrastructure, and collaborative problem-solving—helped the film move fast while staying grounded in character and spectacle.

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A major Amazon MGM Studios feature produced at scale

More than 1,400 local cast, crew, and extras

Designed around complex, location-driven action (car chases, shootouts, explosions)

The majority of principal photography completed in New Zealand

Studio‑Scale Action, Delivered at Pace

The Wrecking Crew brought its action to life through stunt sequences conceived for real‑world environments — moments designed to feel immediate, grounded and visceral on screen. Production leaned into New Zealand’s ability to safely and confidently stage large‑scale action in active settings, allowing movement, impact and performance to play out with authenticity.

This approach was supported by experienced local stunt and technical teams working in close rhythm with international partners, giving the filmmakers the freedom to think big while staying in control. Action sequences were conceived to unfold in real‑world environments, from high‑impact vehicle work to aerial pursuit, allowing scale and immediacy to be captured in camera. The result is action that feels expansive and visceral — grounded in reality, driven by performance, and delivered with precision.

"The crew we used in New Zealand was one of the best I’ve ever worked with — an A‑plus group of craftspeople."

/ Lynn Harris, Producer

Seamless Location Doubling for Global Storytelling

New Zealand offers the kind of versatility that lets a story breathe and expand. The film moved seamlessly between rugged coastlines, urban streets, and moments of calm, open space, supporting both high‑octane action and more reflective beats. This range allowed New Zealand to convincingly double for both Omaha and Hawai‘i, giving the filmmakers the freedom to shift tone and scale without losing continuity or authenticity.

As director Ángel Manuel Soto puts it: “The landscapes are breathtaking. It can play as anything you want, and that is a dream for any director.” That flexibility — paired with experienced crews who understand how to shape place for story — meant the world of The Wrecking Crew could feel expansive, grounded, and emotionally true, all while staying nimble and production‑ready.