Where was M3GAN 2.0 shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the sci-fi horror sequel

M3GAN 2.0 is the latest sequel to the 2022 sci-fi horror movie M3GAN, which introduced the world to the sassy, life-like AI doll who turns out to be more than just a friend. She unleashes horrors upon the family that trusts her to take care of 8-year-old Cady. The sequel takes matters even further by introducing a new AI robot set to terrorize the world.

To flesh out the bleak, futuristic world, M3GAN 2.0 was shot in Auckland, New Zealand, and Toronto, Canada. Both cities offer sleek and diverse urban landscapes that are ideal for a sci-fi horror project.

The latest movie's official synopsis, per IMDb, reads,

"Two years after M3GAN's rampage, her creator, Gemma, resorts to resurrecting her infamous creation in order to take down Amelia, the military-grade weapon who was built by a defense contractor who stole M3GAN's underlying tech."

M3GAN took the box office by storm, earning over $181 million against its modest reported budget of $12 million. Thanks to its massive success, director Gerard Johnstone returns for another chapter in the robot's life. It brings back the older cast members like Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, with Amie Donald as M3GAN and Jenna Davis as her voice. Ivanna Sakhno joins the cast as the new android, AMELIA.

Let's find out more details about where M3GAN 2.0 was shot and its key filming locations.

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M3GAN 2.0 filming locations explored

Auckland, New Zealand

M3GAN 2.0 filming locations include the cityscapes in Auckland, New Zealand. It offers a fine blend of modern and cozy landscapes. They helped build the tonal contrast in the movie, which often shifts gears between its dramatic beats. Per reports, Auckland served as a key location for the film's shoot, much like the first movie.

New Zealand filmmaker Gerard Johnstone comes from Auckland. So, he must have entered the project with plenty of personal insights about this major city in the oceanic country's northern island. With that input, he uses the exterior locations filled with neon lights for the outdoor scenes, whether that's an action or a chase sequence.

Auckland offers a backdrop ideal for fleshing out the movie's unsettling themes. In contrast, the indoors of the city offers a comforting feeling that playfully heightens its overall drama. Apart from them, the local production studios offered the infrastructure to follow a doll designed with a mix of CGI and animatronics.

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Toronto, Canada

The majority of the shoot happened in Auckland, but Toronto offered the locations, ideal for showing the android's development in a science laboratory. This Canadian city offers the kind of urban setting that is suited to bring out the movie's bleaker overtones. Apart from them, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco was reportedly used for a shot in the movie.

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When did M3GAN 2.0 filming take place?

The principal photography for the sci-fi horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 commenced on July 15, 2024, in Auckland and reportedly lasted for 52 days. By September, it finished its production with cinematographer Toby Oliver behind the lens, and Brendan Heffernan and Adam Wheatley handling the film's impeccable production design.

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More details about M3GAN 2.0 cast and characters

Here's the full list of cast and characters for M3GAN 2.0:

• Allison Williams as Gemma
• Violet McGraw as Cady
• Amie Donald as M3GAN
• Jenna Davis as the voice of M3GAN
• Ivanna Sakhno as AMELIA (Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics and Infiltration Android)
• Aristotle Athari as Christian
• Jen Van Epps as Tess
• Jemaine Clement as Alton Appleton
• Brian Jordan Alvarez as Cole
• Amy Usherwood as Lydia
• Timm Sharp as Tim Sattler