Jenna Ortega stars in a film being shot in Whanganui. Photo / 123rf.com
Locations at the centre of a new Hollywood production have been revealed, as filming for the star-powered movie ramps up around the Whanganui region.
Believed to have started in Whanganui around four weeks ago, the film is understood to be called X, and centres around the making of an adultfilm, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Involved in the film are some very high profile stars, including Pitch Perfect actress Brittany Snow, Disney Channel star Jenna Ortega and Scott Mescudi, a rapper and actor better known by his stage name Kid Cudi.
It is understood that the production is based at a property near Fordell, with a large number of vehicles seen coming and going over recent weeks, and a security guard stationed outside.
An aerial photo taken this week shows a large collection of trucks and parked vehicles, as well as what appears to be vintage American black and white police vehicles outside the heritage home on the property.
Along Whanganui's Cobham Bridge on State Highway 3 on Monday evening, traffic was crawling as the typically busy road was transformed into a Texas highway.
Monday's filming appeared to be centred around a collection of old cars, which were transported to the bridge on the back of a truck and carried Texan number plates.
During filming the bridge was closed to the public, with periodic speed-reduced flows in between takes with a large number of traffic management contractors controlling the road.
A large number of the film crew were seen at the site, as well as security.
Filming has also been taking place at the Ohakea War Memorial Hall near Bulls, close to the Ohakea Air Force Base.
The hall was transformed to look like an old-style fuel stop, with a temporary sign installed and the same vintage vehicles parked on the set.
The filming took place last week, with the site packed up by Wednesday afternoon.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, economic development agency Whanganui and Partners said that they had been assisting the production group with finding locations to shoot the film over recent months, as well as connecting local contractors to the production company.
"We've been keeping this under wraps but it looks like the secret is out. Whanganui is a great place to film," the group said.
"Whanganui and Partners have been thrilled to help this production, including assisting location scouts, supporting its crew, and connecting the production with a network of local service providers to meet their needs."
Whanganui and Partners did not respond to the Chronicle's request for comment.