We love a good monster movie here at Nerdbot. If there’s a big monster, we’ll probably take a looksee. Say what you will about “Pacific Rim,” you can’t deny those Kaiju aren’t cool. Which is why we’re quite excited by the news of a new monster movie, “Taniwha“ coming out of New Zealand. Even more exciting is Wētā Workshop will be heading up the special effects and monster designs. Certainly something to look forward to.
So what will “Taniwha” be about? Directed by Libby Hakaraia, the setting is a New Zealand of a thousand years ago. Before the rise of industry and the harnessing of our planet; “when humans still respected the laws of nature”. “When their peaceful world is completely destroyed by a brutal tribe, Keiha and Waikura, a devoted young couple, are chosen to lead the survivors to safety,” Hakaraia said. “Soon, Keiha disregards his wife’s advice and veers away from the agreed destination. As they venture into a strange yet seductive valley, Waikura’s intuition tells her something otherworldly is tracking them.”
WETA Brings Monsters To Life
This otherworldly beast comes in the form of the tuatara. A reptile species specific to New Zealand, whose lineage is not related to any other lizard. They are a species distinct unto themselves and are considered sacred by Maori tribes. Wētā Workshop will do the job of bringing the Taniwha to life, including other species of large birds endemic to New Zealand.
“In the world of this film, Aotearoa [Māori name for New Zealand] had the world’s largest birds,” WĒTĀ explained. “The moa, a flightless bird over 2.6 meters tall and the pouakai, an eagle with a wingspan of 3-4 meters. We are talking to Wētā about how we can create these as animatronics, as well as the taniwha itself.” This all sounds very exciting and we can’t wait to see “Taniwha.”
We’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news.
