Issue date: 
Wednesday, 17 December 2014

Film New Zealand confirmed today that Legendary Pictures’ KRAMPUS will commence principal photography in New Zealand in early 2015.

Based on the ancient legend of a pagan demon who punishes the wicked during the holidays, the twisted horror comedy, KRAMPUS, is written and directed by Michael Dougherty (TRICK 'R TREAT).  The film is co-written by Todd Casey and Zach Shields and produced by Legendary’s Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia.  This darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul will be released by Universal Pictures on Friday, December 4, 2015.

Film New Zealand Chief Executive Gisella Carr said it was exciting that New Zealand was to be the base for a feature so rich in creative interest and for a Legendary Pictures production.  Carr also noted a number of New Zealand companies had collaborated with each other and with Legendary to make it possible for the production to come here, including the Weta Group of Companies, Film New Zealand and Film Wellington.

KRAMPUS will be based at Miramar’s Stone St Studios in Wellington and will shoot in locations around the Wellington region.

“It is understandably thrilling when any film production chooses to work in New Zealand showing the depth of confidence in our industry here. This is made doubly exciting when a film director such as Michael Dougherty is focussed on creating a fun and frightening film in the form of KRAMPUS, utilising primarily physical effects and old school film-making techniques.  This is really fantastic!  Michael and Producer Danny Stillman have been inspiring and engaging with us, and it is great to see them so focussed on creating a film for Legendary Pictures that will hark back to so many of the great monster fright movies of the past,” says Sir Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop.