Set visits are a fun notion in theory, but tend to be punishingly boring. A typical experience involves lots—and I mean, lots—of waiting around, only to spend a few minutes observing an actor spout inconsequential dialogue while crew members in cargo shorts tell you to shush. So I didn’t have great expectations when I was given the opportunity to watch some of The Wrecking Crew being filmed. To my great surprise, however, I had a blast.
The film stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged Hawaiian brothers who reunite following their father’s mysterious death. It was filmed in both Hawaii and (mostly) in and around Auckland, doubling for the Hawaiian Islands. Kiwis should be easily able to spot Piha’s iconic Lion Rock in the trailer, though it looks pretty darn Hawaiian.
A throwback to old school action comedies, it is indeed the action part that’s in full swing when I show up to a massive location shoot on Queen Street, in the South Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu. It’s been transformed into downtown Honolulu, primarily through replaced signage and modified store fronts. The Ōtāhuhu RSA is now a Chinese Takeaway; CGI will later add tall buildings and a mountainous background.
The scene being shot takes place in the immediate aftermath of a collision between two huge trucks. A massive black Dodge Ram is ramming another big SUV-type truck, pushing it down the road on its side. While this is happening, the Suburban’s driver (Bautista) climbs vertically out of the driver’s window, stands upright and fires a gun at the driver of the Dodge as both trucks careen down the street. Performing this stunt himself, Bautista is attached to a harness that will be removed in post-production.
As a child of the action comedy-infused ’80s and ’90s, seeing this in real-life is about as close to filmmaking nirvana as I can conceive. The action is repeated several times, and Bautista barely looks like he’s breaking a sweat.
Although we have globally respected production crews in New Zealand, these sorts of automobile stunts are relatively rare here. Overseas experts were brought in to help upskill the local stunties, conveying knowledge that can be integrated into future productions.
The local contingent of the film’s cast is led by Temuera Morrison (playing the governor of Hawaii), Roimata Fox and Frankie Adams. The latter two are filming when I show up for a second set visit later in November, this time at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson.
From left to right: Roimata Fox, Dave Bautista, Jason Mamoa, Frankie Adams
The film’s villain, Marcus Robichaux (Danish actor Claes Bang), has captured Fox and Adams’ characters—who play Bautista’s wife and cousin, respectively—and is taunting Momoa’s character via a video call from his office/lair. Classic action movie villain stuff. The women are far from damsels in distress, though, and are giving as good as they get.
During a break, Fox tells me that she’s as stoked as I am to be on the set of an action comedy being shot in New Zealand: “Being Kiwi-born, I just didn’t know that this realm would be open for someone like me. The fact that we’re actually doing it—not only for me, but for my son as well, because we love the genre—it’s just the best.”
She continues: “I was lucky enough to work with Jason (Momoa) on Chief of War, so it’s been awesome to see him transform his character in this film…And then working with Dave (Bautista) has just been a dream come true…he’s such an incredible actor—one of the best.”
From left to right: Jason Mamoa, Frankie Adams, Temuera Morrison, Dave Bautista, Roimata Fox
The Wrecking Crew is Momoa’s third New Zealand-shot production in a row (following Minecraft and Chief of War). Fox confirms that the actor’s obvious affection for our country manifests on set, saying he “brings such an understanding of the culture” and is “an honorary Māori through and through…I can’t imagine Aotearoa without him now.”
Adams—a New Zealand Samoan actor who starred in several seasons of acclaimed American sci-fi drama series The Expanse, and will soon be seen in the live action version of Moana—is equally thrilled to be here, though not as much of an action movie fiend.
“I love to laugh (but) I’m not too obsessed with watching people beat each other up,” she says. “But I think the combination seems to work and it’s fun to be a part of it.”
Adams says she was a little nervous about working with Momoa and Bautista, but “they were both so warm and friendly, and we’ve had some good laughs together on set.” She thinks that Kiwis in particular will respond to the humour in the film: “I think there are some really funny moments…Watching Dave and Jason go at each other will be a joy for anyone.”