Big-budget movie plan now a disappearing act

Fairfax

ABANDONED: The Kingdom Come set at Falstone, on the short of Lake Benmore in South Canterbury.

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Barring a comeback of biblical proportions, the proposed Hollywood movie Kingdom Come now appears to have come and gone.

While an official announcement has yet to be made, there are grave fears the movie about the life of Jesus Christ to be made in New Zealand is about to be canned.

It is understood investors are nervous because American networks have been reluctant to buy the film, despite assurances from filmmakers that the project will go ahead.

The United States-based publicist for the picture, Ernie Malik, said an announcement was due to be made yesterday but had been delayed. The production company is believed to have already spent about $60 million in New Zealand, including several million on a set and props in the South Island.

Moteliers in Twizel have had bookings cancelled.

An email they received this week said the movie was no longer going ahead.

Falstone was to have become Capernaum, a 3000-year-old fishing village, and Lake Benmore was to be the Sea of Galilee in the Biblical movie.

At its peak the set had over 100 contractors working on site but there has been no further work since before Christmas.

A resource consent was issued by Waitaki District Council in August last year for the Falstone set and it gave 12 months for the shooting to be completed.

Wellington-based film company South Vineyard Ltd's original shooting schedule shows the movie should be under way, with the village expected to be dismantled before April.

Dean Wright, the film's Kiwi director, was a visual effects supervisor on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian.

About 100 extras around South Canterbury responded last year to casting calls seeking people who could pass as Middle Eastern, Moroccan, North African or Mediterranean. When a reporter visited sets near Mt Crawford Prison and in Stone St in Wellington's eastern suburbs this week, only the occasional security guard was still at work.

Maupuia film workers were waiting for news at their homes. They said some contractors had moved on to other jobs and were picking up gear from the Stone St site, while others were now registering for the unemployment benefit.

The film's producers did not respond to requests for comment this week.

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