By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai‘i — Filming will begin later this month on the Big Island for parts of the new "Planet of the Apes," the first major movie project there since "Waterworld."
Fifty actors and a crew of more than 200 are expected to take part in filming at several locations in East Hawai‘i.
The 20th Century Fox "Planet of the Apes" remake is being directed by Tim Burton, whose film credits include "Sleepy Hollow" and "Batman."
The new "Planet of the Apes" is due to be released July 27, and the cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Roth, Michael Clarke Duncan and Paul Giamatti.
The last major movie filmed on the Big Island was "Waterworld" starring Kevin Costner in 1995.
Discussions about filming part of "Planet of the Apes" on the Big Island have been under way since May, Hawai‘i County Film Commissioner Marilyn Killeri said yesterday. The Big Island was chosen over other locales, including Maui, "because of the diverse look," she said.
Filming already has taken place in California and Arizona. Filmmakers will not be looking for Big Island residents to serve as extras, and the set will be closed, according to Killeri.
Killeri was a bit reluctant to estimate what the economic impact from filming the new "Planet of the Apes" might be. "Let’s say this should be a nice boost for East Hawai‘i," she said.
Although there has been no recent major movie activity on the Big Island, she said the county is logging about 150 television and commercial shoots annually.
The latest figures available show the Big Island film industry participated in $13 million worth of productions for fiscal 1998-99.
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