This week Sir Peter wrote on his Facebook page Wingnut Films would be producing a feature film, to be directed by Christian Rivers, based on the Philip Reeve book Mortal Engines, with a script written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Sir Peter.
Wingnut Films general manager Dominic Sheehan said filming locations outside of Wellington were yet to be selected, but a start date had been scheduled for March next year with a lot of details expected to be worked through before then. He said he would make sure the producers were aware of Oamaru’s connections to the pop culture movement.
"I can’t say anything will happen. I can’t promise anything."
Steampunk HQ spokeswoman Jan Kennedy believed even if filming did not occur in Oamaru, just the connection to Steampunk and Steampunk being a theme in the film could generate great international attention for the North Otago town and New Zealand.
The country would become known for Weta Cave, Hobbiton and Steampunk, she said.
"It’s about potential and us hopefully being able to realise our potential."
She believed Sir Peter’s work would make steampunk "cool" to mainstream society.
Mrs Kennedy believed some filming could take place in Oamaru, but that possibility would be greatly improved if someone made an official invitation.
"We’re already on board and this town is a steampunk town.
"Every movie he’s done has done something for New Zealand.
"It’s going to be interesting to see what the powers that be in this town could do ... or is there any future developing the town as a Steampunk town?"
Sir Peter said in his Facebook post that the company had held the rights to Mr Reeve’s book series for several years.
"If you haven’t read the books, you should.
"They present a stunning look into the future, when all of Earth’s major cities are now mounted on wheels, roaming across the landscape as massive "Traction Cities".
Society has built itself on the principles of Municipal Darwinism. This basically involves the bigger cities hunting down, and consuming, the smaller ones, he wrote.
"Philip Reeve has created a range of intriguing characters, following their adventures in our strange future world through four books: Mortal Engines, Predator’s Gold, Infernal Devices and A Darkling Plain.
"The moment we read these novels, we knew what exciting movies they’d make. I literally can’t wait to see them."
Iain Clark, who along with partner Helen Jansen did a lot of work launching Steampunk in Oamaru, and likes to be known by his Steampunk name Agent Darling, welcomed the film announcement.
A co-organiser of the annual Steampunk NZ Festival Weekend, he said he would push people out of the way if casting was opened up in Oamaru for extras. He said it would be great if Oamaru could be involved in the production in some way, but he understood Sir Peter and those who worked for him already had access to huge resources and might not require the town.
"Who knows? The architecture may be inspiring. There may be opportunities for the Victorian Precinct and some of our own Steampunkers."
Other films produced or partly filmed in North Otago include, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Mr Pip, Perfect Creatures and Bride Flight. In 2009, Weta Workshop, a Sir Peter connected company, was involved in a Steampunk exhibition at the Forrester Gallery.
