Elijah Wood treks across New Zealand in the new Bookworm trailer

The new trailer for the big new adventure comedy film Bookworm has been released. Shot on location in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, Bookworm stars acclaimed Hollywood actor Elijah Wood (Yellowjackets, Come to Daddy, The Lord of the Rings), alongside Kiwi breakout star Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise, Northspur).

Bookworm follows 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist, suddenly reappears. Years ago, after a magical encounter with the once-charming Strawn, Mildred’s mom moved back to New Zealand. Now, a comical mishap leaves Strawn caring for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized. Their first adventure? Camping to hunt for the mythological Canterbury Panther. As this mismatched duo navigates the wilderness, magic tricks, and an extraordinary quest, hilarity ensues, and they might just find a way to piece their family back together.

Additional casting includes Michael Smiley (Obituary, Bad Sisters, Kill List), Vanessa Stacey (Out of the Blue, The Lord of the Rings) and Morgana O’Reilly (Friends Like Her, set to star in the upcoming season of White Lotus).

Bookworm is produced by Emma Slade (Uproar, Mister Organ), Roxi Bull (Uproar, The Justice of Bunny King), Victoria Dabbs (Uproar, Sunshine on Leith), Mette-Marie Kongsved (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Come to Daddy) and Laura Turnstall (Lemonade, Get Duked!).

The film was made with financing from the Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, Talon Entertainment, Orogen Entertainment, Screen Canterbury and Images and Sound. The film is distributed in New Zealand and Australia by Rialto Distribution. Rialto Distribution has released over 35 local films theatrically over the previous 30 years, including box office hit Muru which was the highest grossing local film of 2022.

In US cinemas and On Demand from 18th October 2024.