Universal, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster’s hit doll M3GAN has amassed an impressive $176 million worldwide following its January release on a budget of just $12 million. While the movie was set in Seattle, it was shot in Auckland in 2021 after the pandemic forced the project to switch from filming in Montreal to the relatively Covid-19-free coast of New Zealand.
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M3GAN- The Making of the Killer Doll
The movie’s sequel is scheduled for a January 2025 release, yet to confirm if it will reshoot in New Zealand, but sources suggest it’s highly likely. Director Gerard Johnstone’s home and that’s where the project would finally begin when they meet its 12-year-old star, Amie Donald, who plays M3gan.
“The fact that we were able to find her at the time we needed to cast someone for this role is, I mean, I don’t even know what the odds are, but they’re very good,” says producer Judson Scott. .” And finding someone who is just as capable of doing what we need to do but also has as good a screen presence as they are is something that can’t be learned… It’s an X factor, it’s got it. We are lucky to have found this person in the city where we were filming.” (Deadline)
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A native and national dance teacher from Auckland (whose skills have proven useful for the viral puppet dance), Donald brought M3GAN to life using visual effects, puppets and animatronics. It reminds me of the old movie stars,” says Scott. “She can dance, she can do all these amazing stunts.
“M3GAN was filmed in Auckland, with crews from Auckland Studios and Auckland to make the most of our inner city, suburbs and forests. There’s even a star in the making in Amie Donald, who plays the M3GAN doll. The film is also a remarkable achievement for our director, Gerard Johnstone.