Explosive end for SI blockbuster

An explosive end is in store for the Hollywood blockbuster Wolverine, to be shot in the South Island this summer – a rocket will narrowly miss the X-Men hero and blow up a barn.

The Press revealed last month that the film, which is rumoured to have a budget of more than $100 million, would be shot in Central Otago.

The movie is set in the 1970s and shows Wolverine, played by Australian actor Hugh Jackman, developing into the character made popular by the X-Men film series.

A 20th Century Fox film, in conjunction with Jackman's production company, Seed, will be mostly filmed at Fox Studios in Sydney, where pre-production is under way.

Woz Productions has applied for resource consent for temporary filming and the construction of sets at Arcadia Station, near Glenorchy, owned by Jim Veint, and Deer Park Heights, on the Frankton Arm, owned by Frank Mee.

Five other sites have been named in the application – Kingston Beach, Milford Sound, Rees Valley, Skippers Canyon and Naseby Forest.

The consent application, seen by The Press yesterday, shows a barn and farmhouse will be built at Arcadia Station at a site called Hudson Farm in the movie's story, with the final scene involving the destruction of the barn using explosives.

"The premise is that a military sniper shoots a rocket launcher at the barn, narrowly missing Wolverine but exploding the building," an assessment of environmental effects by McGillan Consulting Ltd says.

"This will be a one-off event, with four cameras located around the set to capture the action."

The consent period applied for is from November 5 to February 28, including reinstatement work, although filming is expected to be from January 14.

Cast and crew, who are expected to work 15-hour days, seven days a week, will use accommodation in Queenstown and Alexandra.

Filming on Arcadia Station will take eight days, with preparation due to start on Monday.