Believe me, I’ve tried. On your behalf, I have scoured the news sites who have covered the recent travails of the New Zealand film industry in depth – and found precisely No News about the remake of The Dam Busters. The country’s Prime Minister, no less, held a news conference about the fact that The Hobbit will now be made at Peter Jackson’s studio in Wellington. Jackson himself did a series of media interviews the week before. But at no time did they mention any other film projects.
However, the feeling amongst locals is that if The Hobbit had been lost to another country, this would have ‘put the kibosh’ on the remake of the Dambusters (the words of aviation forum moderator Dave Homewood.)
Just to reiterate, the deal about The Hobbit is between Jackson and film distributors Warner Brothers. The proposed Dambusters film is a joint project of Jackson and United Artists. That’s probably why it has never been mentioned!
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Dambusters Blog 
Thanks for that. Like you I’ve done a bit of research and found, like your good self, absolutely nothing new, and have hit a brick wall (excuse the pun) as regard the remake. I have a sneaky suspicion that the earliest it will be screened will be 2013 – fairly symbolic given it’ll be 70 years since the raid.
Cheers.
Well Scampton’ll be empty before long, once Arrows have moved; make helluva film set!
I work in an advertising agency in Auckland and was filming some video’s 5 months back with some camera guys who are very in touch with Jackson’s work.
They told me he had no less than 9 replica bombers made, full size. Obviously they are not in working condition, but they apparently look stunning (as props).
There was a rumour that he is trying to get one flying, but we shall see. That’s a massive undertaking.
I think we will start to see some leaked clips early next year.
I do hope you are right
Come on Mr Jackson… it’s about time you let us die hard fans of the original Dam busters (my favourite war film of all time) know what is happening with this project. Many thousands of us have been waiting with bated breath for the release of your adaption of this most famous and incredible war time classic that EVER appeared on our screens. It must surely be released in 3D to fully experience and appreciate this true story of the brave men of 617 squadron. I cannot wait for the release and will be one of the first in the queue…. and I’m ready to buy my tickets now Peter!
Saw Stephen Fry in Karori wildlife sanctuary in Wellington NZ last year making a programme about endangered wildlife when he was supposed to be busy writing the Dambusters script!
The original just needs modern special effects – the rest of it is fine.
Many thanks for the snippets of news provided on this site. My Kiwi father trained in bomber aircrew in Calgary and my English uncle survived their Lancaster being shot down over Germany. Growing up near MOTAT in Western Springs Auckland with it’s resident Lancaster just fueled my fascination, so I await this movie with excited anticipation.