Wētā Workshop

Wētā Workshop World-class design and manufacture for films, games, collectibles, and attractions. NZ tourist destination, games studio and collectibles company.
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Academy Award-winning design & effects manufacturing facility servicing the world's creative industries.

23/01/2025

The gods of Lore Olympus have arrived!

Crafted by our talented artists here at Wētā Workshop, each figure captures the essence of the divine—raw, brilliant, and unforgettable—reimagined in stunning three dimensions.

Pre-order now at: https://www.wetanz.com/brands/lore-olympus

The funeral ceremony in James Cameron's 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water posed unique challenges for our costume team....
21/01/2025

The funeral ceremony in James Cameron's 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water posed unique challenges for our costume team. Given it was a night-time scene, we needed to account for the lack of light and dark water environment.

Working with costume designer Deborah Scott, we created a partial sample for Ronal and Tonowari’s cloaks, which allowed Wētā FX to complete the look digitally. A mock version was also made to inform the motion for the VFX team.

Ronal’s cloak featured seed pods, threads, leather, beads, macrame and braiding, with the colours reflecting the ocean. Her funeral loincloths featured raffia, pearls, shells and waxed threads.

Tonowari had to look regal as the clan leader in dress that honoured the occasion. We created this piece so that all of the pāua and the leather could move freely, catching the light.

For Neytiri’s funeral veil we incorporated lace work into a braided headband that was made using New Zealand flax, harakeke. We took care to use undyed material representing grief, no bright colour.

Her costume is a collaboration between Wētā Workshop and concept designer Keith Cristensen from Lightstorm Entertainment.

Art director: Stephen Crowe
Concept artists: Rebekah Tisch, Keith Cristensen, Iona Brinch
Na’vi costume art director: Flo Foxworthy
Na’vi artisans: Kate Venables, Jasmin van Lith, Marly Doyle, Ria Apostolidis

Did you know some of items above feature in the characters we created for ? Check it out for a dose of noughties nostalg...
19/01/2025

Did you know some of items above feature in the characters we created for ? Check it out for a dose of noughties nostalgia.

Why stop at one when you can build an entire squad? Now, when you buy 2 or more Mini Epics, get 25% off.From Middle-eart...
16/01/2025

Why stop at one when you can build an entire squad? Now, when you buy 2 or more Mini Epics, get 25% off.

From Middle-earth legends to pop culture icons, now’s your chance to expand your collection AND save big.

Shop Now: https://www.wetanz.com/shop/mini-epics

What would a dimly lit space station with a laboratory be without an alien-holding briefcase? As part of our design and ...
15/01/2025

What would a dimly lit space station with a laboratory be without an alien-holding briefcase? As part of our design and manufacture work for director Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus, the seventh instalment in the Alien franchise, we crafted several cryo-frames — and larval extraterrestrials to go inside them.

Made for encasing the Xenomorph’s endoparasite species, this piece of tech has a simple clamshell design built to hold a Facehugger, from its spine-like tail to its bony, finger-like legs.

Some of the cryo-frames we made had a “breathable” membrane for when the Facehuggers started to defrost. Others were puppeteerable for when the Facehuggers began to wake up, or had a “melted” membrane for when the creatures used their “acid” to make their way out.

A curation like no other.Examine the creatures of Middle-earth with never-before-seen details, hand-sculpted by legendar...
13/01/2025

A curation like no other.

Examine the creatures of Middle-earth with never-before-seen details, hand-sculpted by legendary artisan, Jamie Beswarick.

Discover the collection: https://www.wetanz.com/shop/miniature-skulls

Our Design Studio dreamt up some wicked concepts for Y2K movie, which reimagines the chaos of the Y2K bug. Everyday tool...
09/01/2025

Our Design Studio dreamt up some wicked concepts for Y2K movie, which reimagines the chaos of the Y2K bug. Everyday tools and toys are given a dangerous new demeanour. Here’s a closer look at some of the designs we worked on with director Kyle Mooney and writer Evan Winter. Do you have a favourite?

Middle-earth is a living, breathing world of legends. For Jamie Beswarick, a master sculptor who worked on the films, bl...
08/01/2025

Middle-earth is a living, breathing world of legends. For Jamie Beswarick, a master sculptor who worked on the films, blurring the line between fiction and reality is a way of life.

“One thing I pride myself on is being as biologically accurate as I can," Jamie says. "Trying to make sure a thing is as fundamentally real as it can be.”

This dedication has shaped some of Wētā Workshop’s most iconic collectibles. His latest masterpiece? The Skull of a Balrog.

Explore the Miniature Skull Collection and discover these creatures like never before: https://www.wetanz.com/shop/miniature-skulls

Led by costume designer Deborah Scott, we created several looks for Ronal, the tsahik (shaman) of the Metkayina clan in ...
07/01/2025

Led by costume designer Deborah Scott, we created several looks for Ronal, the tsahik (shaman) of the Metkayina clan in James Cameron's 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water.

This is the costume Ronal wears when she first appears on screen. Here’s a closer look at her shell loincloth featured with the quipu skirt created by Wētā Workshop senior technician Kate Venables. Faux fish vertebrae, foraged shells, threads, pearls and Swarovski crystals feature as adornments.

Her quipu skirt features bold colours to encourage movement, making a strong impression and showing her status as a clan leader. This piece was created by Wētā Workshop technicians Marly Doyle and Tiger Kang.

Her golden-coloured neckpiece was designed to show off her tattoo and complement her skin. It also gives her character a sense of importance with intricate threads, pearls, beads, crystals, wire and pāua shell interwoven throughout the garment.

Art director: Stephen Crowe
Concept artists: Rebekah Tisch, Iona Brinch
Na’vi costume art director: Flo Foxworthy
Na’vi artisans: Pati Ahsue, Jasmin van Lith, Marly Doyle, Kate Venables, Lisa Doherty, Tiger Kang, Jake Evill, Zoe Marsden

What better way to blast a merciless extraterrestrial than with a Pulse Rifle? In addition to making a veritable army of...
05/01/2025

What better way to blast a merciless extraterrestrial than with a Pulse Rifle? In addition to making a veritable army of Facehugger puppets for director Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus, we also manufactured six Pulse Rifles. Of these, two were working hero versions built with a heavy mechanical recoil, a glowing barrel, smoke effects and an ammunition counter display, among other things.

As this survival horror is set between the events of 1979’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens, these weapons, called F44AA Pulse Rifles, are as much a nod to the franchise’s iconic science-fiction weapons (think multiple rates of fire and a lengthy magazine size) as they are a version that comes before them. In fact, at this point in the Alien timeline, the iconic M41A Pulse Rifle hasn’t even been invented yet.

And now, a special shoutout to some of our favourite fuzzballs. We designed and manufactured a range of props for the 20...
02/01/2025

And now, a special shoutout to some of our favourite fuzzballs. We designed and manufactured a range of props for the 2022 killer-doll horror M3GAN directed by Gerard Johnstone, including the Furby-like toys with big eyes and tiny teeth called PurrPetual Petz (of which we made five), and the Furzees (of which we made three). Here, see everything from chassis to cheeks (yes, they light up).

There’s plenty of run-and-scream Facehugger action in Alien: Romulus. Of the 73 Facehugger puppets and props director Fe...
29/12/2024

There’s plenty of run-and-scream Facehugger action in Alien: Romulus. Of the 73 Facehugger puppets and props director Fede Alvarez tasked us with making, you’ll spy some that are remote-controlled and others that are decomposing, frozen or stomped (complete with intentionally breakable legs and green ooze).

The Metkayina clan lives seamlessly with the ocean in James Cameron's 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water.While Ronal is ...
27/12/2024

The Metkayina clan lives seamlessly with the ocean in James Cameron's 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water.

While Ronal is the tsahik (shaman) of the clan, she does not shy away from battle and is a staunch warrior. Led by the incredible costume designer Deborah Scott, our concept design and manufacture teams worked side by side, creating custom materials, fibres and techniques that informed the evolution of the fantasy character costume and costume prop designs.

Wētā Workshop senior technician Kate Venables created her fringed warrior top with carved pāua, macrame knotted threads and featured more than 20,000 hand-woven beads. Given it’s worn in battle, it needed to be able to allow for free movement while secured to her body.

Pāua is also the main feature for her armband. A custom shell look material was created and carved, along with handmade woven and beaded elements for the costume knife prop.

Art director: Stephen Crowe
Concept artist: Rebekah Tisch
Na’vi costume art director: Flo Foxworthy
Na’vi artisans: Kate Venables, Pati Ahsue, Jay Otto, Tiger Kang, Jasmin van Lith, Carl Hobman, Masa Ohashi, Dordi Moen

Meri Kirihimete from Wētā Workshop! For all those who celebrate with a good ol’ holiday horror, enjoy these behind-the-s...
24/12/2024

Meri Kirihimete from Wētā Workshop! For all those who celebrate with a good ol’ holiday horror, enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos from when we worked on director Michael Dougherty’s 2015 creepy Christmas film Krampus, full of demonic toys, evil elves and a feral Christmas angel. Happy holidays everyone ♥️💚♥️💚

Could you keep your cool if you came face to face with this?We took THE iconic 90s computer and gave it a killer makeove...
22/12/2024

Could you keep your cool if you came face to face with this?

We took THE iconic 90s computer and gave it a killer makeover for A24’s Y2K movie. The film follows a group of teens as they are terrorised on New Year’s Eve thanks to the infamous Y2K bug. Mayhem ensues as various household appliances take on a menacing life of their own.

Here's a look at our initial designs for the character we called Cool Blue, which you can see flow through from our concept design to the finished performer suit (yes, the keyboard does flip out). Thanks to its unique dust-busting ‘hand’, this character gets dangerous...

They’re creepy, they’re crawly and they’re gory. Needless to say, they’ve been scurrying all over our workshop. Here are...
19/12/2024

They’re creepy, they’re crawly and they’re gory. Needless to say, they’ve been scurrying all over our workshop. Here are just a few of the Facehugger puppets and props you might have seen amongst the indiscriminate bloodlust in director Fede Alvarez's Alien: Romulus.

And that's a wrap for our 2024 collectible launches.A huge thank you to you, our incredible Wētā Collectors, for keeping...
19/12/2024

And that's a wrap for our 2024 collectible launches.

A huge thank you to you, our incredible Wētā Collectors, for keeping the fandom alive in 2024—what an unforgettable year it’s been!

We introduced exciting new figures, reimagined some of the most beloved characters, and kicked off thrilling new partnerships that are just the beginning of even more adventures to come.

Now, let’s gear up for 2025—there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Shop our full range: www.wetanz.com

From concept, to clay, to collectible.With decades of experience in Middle-earth, concept artist Daniel Falconer and mas...
18/12/2024

From concept, to clay, to collectible.

With decades of experience in Middle-earth, concept artist Daniel Falconer and master sculptor Shaun Bolton imbue the essence of Rohan into every detail.

Helm of King Helm: https://www.wetanz.com/helm-of-king-helm

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Lore Olympus | Hades, Persephone, Hecate, and Hermes - Collectibles
Lore Olympus | Hades, Persephone, Hecate, and Hermes - Collectibles

The gods of Lore Olympus have arrived! Crafted by our talented artists here at Wētā Workshop, each figure captures the essence of the divine—raw, brilliant, and unforgettable—reimagined in stunning three dimensions. Pre-order now at: https://www.wetanz.com/brands/lore-olympus

The Lord of the Rings | Edoras, Environment by Wētā Workshop Collectibles
The Lord of the Rings | Edoras, Environment by Wētā Workshop Collectibles

With pre-orders opening in just 24 hours, take an in-depth look at this incredible environment, with insights revealed by the artists themselves. Preview now: https://www.wetanz.com/limited-edition-edoras

Warhammer 40,000 | Celestine the Living Saint, 1:6 Scale Limited Edition Statue, by Wētā Workshop Collectibles
Warhammer 40,000 | Celestine the Living Saint, 1:6 Scale Limited Edition Statue, by Wētā Workshop Collectibles

The wait is over Warhammer 40,000 —Celestine the Living Saint has manifested. With a limited edition size of just 850, this breathtaking 1:6 scale collectible captures her divine presence as she floats weightlessly amidst the ruins of a war-torn shrine, her golden armour shining with the Emperor’s grace. Pre-order now at: https://www.wetanz.com/celestine-the-living-saint

🏡 A @TalesoftheShire Showcase 🏡 In celebration of Hobbit Day we released an in-depth look behind the scenes of Tales of the Shire, our new cosy game coming out March 25, 2025. Get yourself cosied up and tune in! For more info on the game check out www.talesoftheshire.com

🏡 A Tales of the Shire Showcase 🏡 In celebration of Hobbit Day we released an in-depth look behind the scenes of Tales of the Shire, our new cosy game coming out March 25, 2025. Get yourself cosied up and tune in! For more info on the game check out www.talesoftheshire.com

Who can resist the charms of the delightfully unsettling Pearl? In the spirit of spooky season, we’ve put together a behind-the-scenes video of our practical effects work on the 2022 horror directed by Ti West, in which the title character slays and by “slays” we mean “wields an axe terrifyingly well”. It’s a real treat. Featuring the fake severed head of Emma Jenkins-Purro. #wetaworkshop #a24 #pearl #horror #props #film

We have a problem! Bywater might not be a village... and the fence needs mending. So there's actually two problems. Our cosy game Tales of the Shire is coming March 25, 2025. #wetaworkshop #cosygame #talesoftheshire #hobbits

Grab your robot, we’re going on a road trip! 🤖 From filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo comes The Electric State, a journey through a postapocalyptic world starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci and more. #wetaworkshop #theelectricstate #film #netflix #practicaleffects

Heads up, our new series of Warhammer 40,000 helmet replicas has just dropped. Whether you stand with the Ultramarines, Dark Angels, or Khorne, these incredibly detailed collectibles are made to bring the 41st Millennium into your world. Each helm is expertly crafted to honour the unique identity of its faction. Pre-order all three helmet replicas and get free shipping at: https://www.wetanz.com/shop/helm-replicas/warhammer

Warhammer 40,000 x Space Marine 2 | Lieutenant Titus, Limited Edition 1:6 Scale Statue
Warhammer 40,000 x Space Marine 2 | Lieutenant Titus, Limited Edition 1:6 Scale Statue

As witnessed in Space Marine 2, with righteous fury and the Emperor's divine guidance, even the endless tides of Tyranid bioforms can be broken. Honouring the relentless heroism of humanity, in collaboration with Warhammer 40,000 is a 1:6 scale statue of Lieutenant Titus. Every detail is meticulously crafted, from the sacred inscriptions of the purity seals that adorn his armour, to the splattered blood of the Hormagaunt crushed beneath his boot. Leave no Xenos standing. https://www.wetanz.com/lieutenant-titus-limited-edition

The Hobbit | Radagast in Rhosgobel
The Hobbit | Radagast in Rhosgobel

Radagast in Rhosgobel, a Limited Edition 1:6 scale collectible is now available. From the forest creatures that share his home to the intricate architecture of Rhosgobel itself, this collectible captures the magic of Middle-earth in incredible detail. Pre-order at: https://www.wetanz.com/radagast-in-rhosgobel-limited

Look who’s visiting Nefi’s Forge in our upcoming cosy game Tales of the Shire. #wetaworkshop #cosygame #talesoftheshire #hobbits

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We make cool stuff!

Weta Workshop is a five-time Academy Award®-winning concept design studio and physical effects manufacturing facility that services the world’s entertainment and creative industries. For over 20 years, we have applied our creativity and craftsmanship to blockbuster films and hit television series including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit motion picture trilogies, Blade Runner 2049, Saban’s Power Rangers, King Kong, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, District 9, Elysium, Thunderbirds Are Go, and Ghost in the Shell.

In additional to our film and television projects, we’re also an international tourist destination, producer of consumer products from Middle-earth (and far beyond), behind-the-scenes and media production facility, and creator of public sculptures and immersive exhibition experiences like the record-breaking Gallipoli: The scale of our war, at New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa. Creativity, innovation, and authenticity are the threads that tie this diverse mix of offerings into one fantastical whole.

On March 19, 2018, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially opened our brand new, world-leading mixed reality facility: Weta Gameshop. Together with groundbreaking Florida technology company Magic Leap, we’re forging new frontiers in mixed reality as we create Dr. Grordbort’s Invaders for Magic Leap’s spatial computing platform.

From humble beginnings in the back room of their flat, co-founders Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger have built Weta Workshop into what it is today. Richard, Tania, and the wider Weta Workshop crew regularly go on the road to meet film buffs and lovers of cool stuff worldwide!