Pitt spent weeks filming in Central Otago and Fiordland in early 2025, generating excitement among locals after he was spotted shooting scenes around Lake Wakatipu, near Kinloch and Glenorchy.
A separate Auckland moment also went viral while Pitt was in the area, with a young fan encountering the star at a McDonald’s drive-through in Kumeū and briefly chatting with him.
A young fan in Auckland asked Brad Pitt for a favour. Photo / Facebook
At the time, production crews established a large base near Glenorchy while helicopters, boats and a seaplane were used to film scenes across the region.
Brad Pitt on set near Queenstown last year. Photo / George Heard
The movie reunites Pitt with director David Ayer, who previously worked with the Hollywood star on the 2014 war film Fury.
It also stars JK Simmons and Anna Lambe.
Speaking to GQ magazine, Ayer said filming in New Zealand’s wilderness was physically demanding and visually spectacular.
“You’re sitting there in the rain, there’s mud everywhere, you’re slipping off the side of the mountain and the dog is running around.
The aircraft featured in the film’s trailer on location last year. Photo / George Heard
“And every now and then, something came across my monitor that took my breath away.
“I’m like, this is the movie. This is why we’re here.
“For all intents and purposes, it’s Alaska – you can’t tell the difference.”
Ayer said some locations were so remote they could only be accessed by helicopter.
The South Island largely acts as a backdrop for Alaska in the film. Photo / George Heard
“There was one very remote location which could only be accessed by helicopter, and they were limited to three loads of equipment.
“We took Brad and the dog in a helicopter and dropped them off on a ridge and just had them walking along and photographed that.”
He said there was barely enough room for the crew to stand while filming some scenes.
“We’re just in this rugged wilderness, with the intensity of it.”
The film’s canine co-star, Odin, was played by a New Zealand rescue-trained German shepherd named Uber, while three of the dog’s sons also appeared as stand-ins during production.
Ayer described the film as more than a survival thriller, calling it a story about healing, grief and the bond between a man and his dog.
Heart of the Beast is scheduled to open in New Zealand cinemas on September 24.
Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.