Production Begins on Reimagined “Pete’s Dragon” in New Zealand

February 12, 2015 , ,

From our friends at the Disney Insider:

Principal photography began today on the reimagining of Disney’s 1977 fan favorite, Pete’s Dragon in New Zealand. The new film will blend live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon.

Petes-Dragon

The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard (The Help) as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; 10-year-old Oakes Fegley (This is Where I Leave You) as Pete; Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games) as Jack, a local mill owner; New Zealand native Karl Urban (Star Trek: Into Darkness) as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Oscar winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, All the President’s Men) as Grace’s father.

“This is a story about how magic can enter one’s life and change the way they see the world. And I think David Lowery is the perfect director to bring this project to life,” says Jim Whitaker, the film’s producer.

Petes-Dragon-Poster

Here’s the original trailer for a bit of nostalgia:

Watch clips from the original Pete’s Dragon.

The film is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters in August, 2016.

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