Feature Film
The Meg
2018
Filmed In
Auckland
Towns & Areas
Hauraki Gulf · Kumeu Film Studios
The Story
A gloriously fun, action-packed creature feature where a deep-sea rescue diver is called upon to save a submarine crew from the jaws of a massive, prehistoric 75-foot shark known as the Megalodon.
The Stars
Jason Statham and Li Bingbing. This cast anchors a production that constructed specialised deep-water tanks specifically for its underwater sequences.
Behind the Lens
Jon Turteltaub. Turteltaub is known for balancing big-budget spectacle with a lighter, more comedic tone than most creature features attempt.
Why NZ?
The Hauraki Gulf and the warm coastal waters around Auckland provided the perfect open-water filming conditions. Massive, specialized deep-water tanks were also constructed at Kumeu Film Studios to pull off the elaborate underwater action sequences. The scale of the underwater build reflects just how far a production will go locally when open water alone isn't enough for the shot. Few productions get to build their own deep-water tank system specifically for one film's action sequences.
On Set
Jason Statham, a former competitive diver, has called this one of the most physically demanding shoots of his career. Co-star Li Bingbing has spoken about a genuine fear of being submerged, and said New Zealand's greenery and calm helped settle her nerves between takes. Director Jon Turteltaub, asked what made the cast work, simply replied: "Abs. Tremendous abs." The finished sequences remain a notable technical achievement for a production of this scale.
Legacy
A significant box office success, particularly in international markets, the film was based on Steve Alten's novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.
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