Wind in the Willows to get the Weta touch

Kenneth Grahame's classic tale The Wind in the Willows is to get a Weta makeover.

Filming on the $30 million production is set to begin in New Zealand this year and is due for release in 2012, the Dominion Post reported.

A Weta Workshops spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that it was making animatronic puppets - lifelike robots - for the production.

"It's a very exciting project to be working on," she said.

The movie will use both live action and animatronics to create the well-loved characters of Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad.

RG Entertainment head Ray Griggs is directing the film after independently raising the funds through private investors.

- NZPA