The production company behind beleaguered film Kingdom Come has one more obstacle to overcome before filming can get under way.

The $180 million film about the life of Jesus Christ has two North Otago locations; a fishing village and harbour at Falstone camping ground on Lake Benmore and one at Elephant Rocks near Duntroon. It was to have been shot in early 2009, but was abandoned due to financial problems.

The film's collapse left 275 creditors out of pocket by $5.8m. Creditors accepted a $2m "full and final settlement" from the production company, South Vineyard, last year.

Waitaki District Council property manager Dougall McIntyre said the production company now needed to check the structural integrity of the Falstone site.

The Los Angeles-based facilitator will visit this month to have a structural engineer go over the set and give a condition report.

"At this stage it looks as though it's sound and the structural report is saying they can go ahead with filming," Mr McIntyre said.

"That will really determine whether they go ahead."

An application has been submitted to the council for an extension on the consent. Environment Canterbury has already granted one.

He said as part of the consent the production company would build a jetty for the public once filming was wrapped up.

A security guard was still stationed at the location, which had meant the set had been well-maintained.

Mr McIntyre said the production company had resolved other issues that originally stymied the project.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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