Extras wanted for Disney movie

Producer Barrie Osborne

Attention, all aspiring movie stars, Walt Disney Studios wants you.

The company has announced it will shoot the action film Pete's Dragon in New Zealand in early 2015.

Filming locations include Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury and as well as providing work for local craftsmen and crew, a call has gone out for local extras.

Rotorua will host a general casting call on Saturday in Studio 1 at the Arts Village from 10am to 4pm, and in Tokoroa on Sunday in The Rotary Room, South Waikato Sports and Events Centre from 10am to 4pm.

The film's production will be based at Stone Street Studios in Wellington.

Pete's Dragon is a reinvention of the 1977 Disney classic, and will blend live action and computer-generated imagery to tell the story of a special bond between an orphan boy named Pete and his best friend, Elliot, a dragon.

Producer Barrie Osborne said New Zealand was the best location to shoot the film. "The New Zealand aesthetic beautifully matches what the screenplay requires,," he said.

David Lowery will direct the film. Oakes Fegley will play Pete and Oona Laurence has been cast as Natalie, a new character who becomes Pete's friend.