Air NZ debuts Tinseltown safety video

Air New Zealand has teamed up with Hollywood actress Anna Faris and New Zealand actor and comedian Rhys Darby for its latest safety video, Safety in Hollywood.

The video, shot at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles, explores several different Hollywood film genres as Darby tries to convince the star of the hit TV show Mom and the Scary Movie films to play a role in Air New Zealand's new safety video with him.

Safety in Hollywood was filmed at four different sets with some of the filming locations seen in legendary movies such as Jurassic Park, Casablanca, War of the Worlds and TV series True Blood. More than 20 extras were also involved, including Chester the Chihuahua, who has appeared in Transformers and Grey's Anatomy.

Air New Zealand head of global brand Jodi Williams says Warner Bros had helped to produce the airline's Hobbit inflight safety videos, and it was "fantastic'' to work with Darby and Faris in Hollywood.

"Anna and Rhys make a great comedic duo and really bring this safety video to life, entertaining customers while at the same time imparting key safety messages," says Williams.

"Our inflight safety videos are now world famous and we know people anticipate their release. The interest in them has been phenomenal and collectively they've attracted more than 83 million views online and featured in international news outlets."

Anna Faris says it's been ''exciting and an honour'' to follow in the footsteps of acting legends like Emmy Award and Grammy Award winner Betty White, the All Blacks and the cast of The Hobbit to take Air New Zealand's safety videos in a new creative direction.

A screenshot from Air NZ's new inflight safety video.

"I really wanted to be part of this project because Air New Zealand has really redefined safety videos with its fun and creative approach. And working with Kiwi actor Rhys Darby was an absolute treat. It's so easy to tune out when watching a traditional safety video, so it comes as such a delightful surprise when you get something that's really fun and funny."

Rhys Darby says producing the safety video was a great experience and quite special given he is now based in Hollywood.

"Air New Zealand's safety videos are a Kiwi staple and reflect the Kiwi sense of humour. I think people will really enjoy watching this safety video as it takes them on a magical ride through the movie making world, while still bringing to life the key safety messages."

Safety in Hollywood will be rolled out across the airline's fleet from today.

The airline is now into the seventh year of its offbeat films aimed at engaging passengers in order to deliver a safety message but also marketing the airline around the world.