Wellington Gets the Scarlett Johansson Effect

Ghost in the Shell star Scarlett Johansson, who spent several months in Wellington filming the classic eighties sci-fi remake, says the capital is one of the best cities she has worked in.

In a press release from Tourism New Zealand aimed at promoting Wellington as a destination for visitors, Johansson said she liked the city’s “outdoorsy vibe”.

“It is so nice on your days off to be able to walk by the harbour, drive to the mountains or go hiking in the bush,” Johansson said.

Johansson wasn’t the only cast member to soak up the New Zealand’s natural wonders.

Pilou Asbaek, who plays Batou in the film, took time out to visit Rotorua with his family.

“We had a wonderful time luging, visiting the geothermal area and zip lining through the beautiful native bush. It was one of the highlights of my time in New Zealand. Such a great place to take the family, with so much to see and do,” Asbaek said.

Meanwhile French actress Juliette Binoche, who plays Dr Ouélet, the creator of Johansson’s Major, spent a few days at Annandale farm on Banks Peninsula. She stayed in one of the working farm’s “gumboot luxury” villas.

“It was just beautiful, to have just the elements there, the sea, the air, the earth, the animals, the plants, the minerals, like it’s sort of the essence of creation and just breathing in and taking some time feeling the sun.

“I wish I had stayed there longer,” Binoche said.

Original article by Stuff, April 1, 2017.