We wrote earlier in the week about how Michelle Rodriguez was going to New Zealand to film Avatar, before going back to the US before Christmas for her jail sentence. Well The Dominion Post is reporting that filming has officially begun.

A secret Wellington location was uncovered yesterday where 80 imitation-gun-toting, camo-wearing stuntpeople and actors had gathered for days of rehearsals.

The men and women had split into pairs to learn how to provide covering fire for their partner. The manoeuvres included plenty of macho shouting and wide-legged posturing.

Good news that filming has started, I hope we get more information about what’s happening over in Wellington, but not too much as we don’t want to be spoiled two years before it is released!

31 days of additional live photography will be carried out on Weta’s sound stages, the same Weta that did magnificent things with Lord of The Rings. It is believed that 6 of the actors hired will be what Cameron likes to call “synthespians”. Lets just say if you were amazed by Bill Nighy’s digital transformation into Davy Jones, you will be blown away with what Avatar has to offer.