Before filming in Thames, the production was sighted in Huntly in April, where they also shot part of A Minecraft Movie.
For Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell, the excitement generated by the production coming to the district this month was matched by the economic benefits it brought.
“Filming for a big production like this brings in tens of thousands of dollars in immediate economic impact,” Revell said.
He said spending by cast and crew flowed into accommodation, catering, transport and local businesses, while the film could also generate a longer-term tourism boost if it attracted visitors in the same way The Lord of the Rings did.
Thames-Coromandel mayor Peter Revell.
The star power of Black and Momoa proved a major draw for locals, many of whom gathered around the set in the hope of catching a glimpse of the actors, Revell said.
“It’s been pretty exciting for Thames. Lots of people have lingered around Grahamstown to get selfies with the stars, who have been obliging and very generous with their time.”
Businesses affected by filming were compensated by the production company.
Revell said he was “totally chuffed” when he learned Thames had been selected to stand in for a fictional American town.
The project began after location scouts approached the council’s economic development team late last year.
According to Revell, Thames’ distinctive heritage character proved a major selling point.
Revell said social media had lit up with images and stories from the shoot.
He hopes the film’s eventual release will help shift perceptions of Thames.
“Thames has been considered a go-through town instead of a destination in its own right,” Revell said.
“If this film becomes a big hit and helps to change that, it could make a big difference to the local economy.”
Although among the largest productions to visit the district in recent years, Revell said film crews were no strangers to the Coromandel.
Parts of the district have previously hosted productions including The Chronicles of Narnia, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Chief of War.
“I think it’d be great to see more international productions choosing our district as a location,” he said.
Screen Waikato attraction and facilitation manager Erin Griffith said Thames was selected because its heritage streetscape closely resembled parts of Utah.
She said Screen Waikato worked behind the scenes to help productions identify locations, make local connections and navigate permitting processes.
She said the production’s friendly approach had helped create excitement throughout the community.
One highlight was watching Jack Black interact with locals.
“He was up and down the road in the car with the windows open and had such a blast with people,” Griffith said.
Griffith said the excitement surrounding the production highlighted why New Zealand continued to attract major international film projects.
The government-backed international screen production rebate remained a major drawcard for overseas studios filming here, she said.
Eligible productions can claim back 20% of qualifying New Zealand production costs, with some large projects eligible for an additional 5% uplift.
Griffith said the scheme, which was reaffirmed by the Government in November, helped keep New Zealand competitive against other international filming destinations.
Productions including Avatar: The Way of Water, Mulan and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power have all filmed in New Zealand with support from the rebate scheme.
The production also created opportunities for people interested in the screen industry.
Griffith said some schoolchildren had been given the chance to experience the production up close, while Wintec students were also involved.
She said Waikato remained an attractive destination for major international productions because of its crews’ reputation.
“It’s the quality of the gear, the quality of the crew, and a really forward-thinking, can-do attitude,” Griffith said.
Tom Eley is a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. Before he joined the Hamilton-based team, he worked for the Weekend Sun and Sunlive. He previously worked as a journalist at Black Press Media in Canada and won a fellowship with the Vancouver Sun.