Qtown to 'add impact' to X-Men film shoot

Scenes in action blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine to be shot in Queenstown will be some of the most important in the film, according to the team behind the movie.

"There's not a huge portion of the movie being shot in New Zealand," Wolverine publicist Victoria Buchan said. "But the scenes that are being shot here will have a huge impact on the film. Queenstown will definitely be the backdrop to the movie."

Ms Buchan said the region's outstanding scenery was the reason it was chosen as a location for the film.

"The movie's producer John Palermo was quoted the other day saying how the natural beauty of the area had attracted him to Queenstown. I believe that there are around 250 local people working on the film between here and Dunedin," Ms Buchan said.

Mr Palermo co-owns production company Seed Productions with Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who is set to star in Wolverine.

The movie is the fourth instalment in the X-Men series, which has grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

Details of the film's scheduling are being kept top secret by 20th Century Fox in Hollywood.

Sets have been created at several Wakatipu locations, including Deer Park Heights and Arcadia Station, as well as in Dunedin, but the official cast list has not been released.

"Hugh is the only cast member that has been confirmed so far," Ms Buchan said.

"The main unit filming has not started yet. All that I can say about the schedule is that we will be here for another few weeks. "

Other people confirmed to be involved with the filming are director Gavin Hood, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, who also produced the first three X-Men films, and Marvel Comics' Kevin Feige as executive producer.

- © Fairfax NZ News