“M3GAN” Directed by Gerard Johnston, is a sci-fi horror film that revolves around M3GAN (short for Model 3 Generative Android), a lifelike doll. It is designed and programmed with artificial intelligence by Gemma, an excellent robot from a toy company.
The titular doll is a work of some great technology, as it can become a regular companion for the child it’s attached to. When Gemma’s 8-year-old niece Cady loses her parents in an accident, she becomes her guardian, but she is not ready to handle such responsibility.
Meanwhile, Gemma faces intense pressure about her AI doll at work. To kill two birds with one stone, she decides to pair M3GAN with Cady, which has some deadly consequences. This horror thriller features impressive performances from the talented cast of Violet McGraw, Allison Williams, Amie Donald, and Brian Jordan Alvarez, which enhances the overall quality of the narrative. Additionally, the use of interesting locations makes one wonder where “M3GAN” was filmed.
Where Was M3GAN Movie Filmed?
“M3GAN” movie was filmed in New Zealand, California, New York, and seemingly in Quebec, particularly in the Auckland, Los Angeles, Poughkeepsie, and Montreal regions.
According to reports, principal photography on the thriller began in early July 2021 and wrapped up in approximately six weeks, in mid-August of that year, just before New Zealand went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand
Most of the key sequences for “M3GAN” were created in the Auckland region, which includes the metropolitan area of the same name, the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and numerous smaller towns and rural areas. The various suburbs of the region were said to be used to successfully give viewers the feel of Denver, Colorado.
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The production team set up camp at Auckland University of Technology at 55 Wellesley Street East in Auckland CBD, the Auckland Showgrounds aka ASB Showgrounds at 217 Green Lane West in Epsom, and Cornwall Park at Green Lane West in Epsom to record key scenes for the film.
In addition, the town of Warkworth, the suburb of Farm Cove, and a small house in the suburb of Sunnyhills served as important production sites. The crew also filmed several segments at the Auckland Science Research Facility and around Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in early January 2023, lead actress Allison Williams spoke about her experience filming in New Zealand.
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Williams said: “Filming was fascinating. We filmed in New Zealand in the summer of 2021, when COVID was still everywhere. New Zealand had almost zero cases and to go to New Zealand you had to spend two weeks in quarantine in isolation. All of us who have come from outside New Zealand have been through it. Then, once you stepped out of that hotel, it was like the old world we all remember. It was something amazing.” “We shot it really fast. It was super challenging.
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I don’t want to give away any of the magic of how she did it, but getting M3GAN on screen was really difficult. It kind of brought us all together because it required the whole crew to work together. Basically, I feel like every department got involved. It was certainly a unique performative experience for me, playing scenes with M3GAN. I don’t know if I’ll ever have an experience like that again,” Williams added.
California
Other parts of ‘M3GAN’ were shot in Los Angeles, the largest city in California. Located in Southern California, it is known for its beautiful beaches, upscale neighborhoods, ties to the entertainment industry, and bustling downtown.
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In addition, the City of Angels is home to many landmarks and tourist attractions such as the Hollywood Sign, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Venice Canal Historic District, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
New York
Reportedly, the “M3GAN” team traveled to Poughkeepsie, the city and county seat of New York’s Dutchess County. Located in the Hudson River Valley region, it is also known as the Royal City of Hudson.
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Some of the sectors impacting Poughkeepsie’s economy are education, finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, science, and technology.
Quebec
For filming purposes, the ‘M3GAN’ crew seemingly set up camp in Montreal, Quebec’s most populous city and the country’s second most populous city.
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Located in the southwestern region of Quebec, Montreal has hosted the production of several projects over the years, including Orphans, Mother!, Terror Train, and Mama.
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