Disney’s latest film, “Peter Pan & Wendy,” took audiences in St. John’s and Bonavista by storm on Monday night during a special premiere event. Shot in Newfoundland and Labrador in August 2021, the live-action adaptation of the 1953 animated film “Peter Pan” was celebrated with a red carpet event at the Cineplex Theatre in St. John’s and a premiere screening in Bonavista. Despite the rain and fog that prevented some of the film’s executives from attending, those in attendance were thrilled to see a major industry player recognizing the region’s potential for filmmaking. Mark Sexton, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, praised the decision to shoot the film in the province: “Disney can go anywhere in the world for this project, but they saw some photos of Newfoundland, made a call… and the entire crew were very, very happy with the results here. It’s an easy place to film.”
Jim Whitaker, producer of “Peter Pan & Wendy,” attended the premiere and expressed his gratitude towards the province and its people for making the experience a positive one. He hopes that more large-scale films can be shot in Newfoundland and Labrador in the future. Premier Andrew Furey was also in attendance and noted the potential for the region to rival other popular filming locations such as New Zealand, Scotland, and Ireland.
The film featured actors from around the world, including young Jax Ryder from Bonavista, who got to experience the excitement of being on set at just five years old. Ryder and his mother, Leanne Prince, shared their memorable experiences during a recent interview with CBC Radio’s “Weekend AM.” With “Peter Pan & Wendy” streaming on Disney+ beginning Friday, audiences can catch the magic of Newfoundland and Labrador’s scenic locations and talented actors showcased on the big screen.
