Tenzing has been filmed with South Island mountains as its backdrop.
English actor Tom Hiddleston has been spotted in Queenstown this week as he films a movie playing New Zealand’s greatest mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary.
Hiddleston stars as the Kiwi legend in the biopic of Hillary’s sherpa climbing companion Tenzing Norgay, who completed the world first summit of Mt Everest, with Hillary, in 1953.
In the Herald exclusive photographs, taken near The Remarkables this week, Hiddleston is seen in cold weather gear with a bag slung around his shoulder.
Film crew are pictured offloading props and equipment, including old-style climbing gear, from helicopters.
Shooting of the movie, Tenzing, is believed to have taken place on Single Cone.
Before arriving at The Remarkables, filming took place on Aoraki/Mt Cook.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) announced in June that it had approved filming on Malte Brun Pass near the Tasman Glacier and near the Hochstetter Icefall on the eastern side of the mountain.
The location will “double” as Everest base camp and the famous Hillary Step on the world’s highest peak, said DoC.
The film also stars Oscar-winner Willem Dafoe as Colonel John Hunt, the British Army officer who led the expedition.
Genden Phuntsok plays the titular sherpa, while Irish actor Caitríona Balfe features as Jill Henderson, the secretary of the Himalayan Club and a friend of Norgay’s who helped organise journeys up Mt Everest.
Tenzing is produced by See-Saw Films, which also produced Oscar-winning movie The King’s Speech and Jane Campion film The Power of the Dog.
The film’s rights belong to Apple, after its film studio, Apple Studios LLC, won an auction at the Cannes Film Festival, in May last year.
Australian documentarian Jennifer Peedom is directing the picture.
Peedom is best known for her 2015 documentary Sherpa whichwas nominated for best documentary at the 2016 Baftas.
The script has been written by fellow Australian Luke Davies, whose 2016 film Lion received an Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay.
NEW ZEALAND: Tenzing Norgay movie with Hollywood A-Listers to be filmed at Aoraki/Mount Cook
Alpine landscapes in Aotearoa (NZ) and within the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park will serve as the backdrop for a new biopic about Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay’s 1953 epic climb to the summit of Mount Everest alongside New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary. The NZ Department of Conservation (DOC) has approved filming on Malte Brun Pass near the Tasman Glacier and near the Hochstetter Icefall on the eastern side of Aoraki/Mount Cook, which will ‘double’ as Everest base camp and the famous Hillary Step on the world’s highest peak.
“These sites have been used for filming Everest-related documentaries and films before,” says DOC Ranger Ray Bellringer. “All filming activities are subject to strict environmental conditions to ensure the protection of the natural landscape. DOC staff will be onsite daily to monitor compliance. This is an incredibly special place and it’s our role to protect it,” he says.
Bellringer also noted the long-standing relationship between New Zealand and Nepal through the Himalayan Trust, and the involvement of Nepalese students in conservation and education programs, including through Lincoln University’s Parks and Recreation degree. Since 1953 around 70 Nepalese including many from the Sherpa community have come to Lincoln for study in nature-based tourism and community conservation.
“Sir Edmund Hillary dedicated much of his life after 1953 to supporting Nepalese communities,” Bellringer added. “It is fitting that this project recognises the life and contributions of Tenzing Norgay, and we are proud to provide a setting that supports this storytelling. It’s an iconic setting for an incredible story.”
Ray Bellringer (left) and Phil Turner looking at film locations – Image: DOC
Filming in New Zealand is scheduled to begin next month. The production, which has already completed scenes in Kathmandu, Nepal, will feature Tom Hiddleston as Sir Edmund Hillary, Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing Norgay, and Willem Dafoe as English expedition leader John Hunt.
The production is expected to bring a significant economic boost to the local area with a large production crew and cast staying in the village and surrounding area.
Set construction and logistical preparations are currently underway. DOC staff will continue to work closely with the production team to ensure minimal environmental impact. Ray Bellringer says he happy Tenzing Norgay’s story is getting recognition.
“We’re pleased to support this movie project and help showcase it to the world. For Aoraki and the staff here to play a small part in helping to make that happen is special,” he says. (NAN/DOC 12-06-25)
Apple's 'Tenzing' has tapped Genden Phuntsok for the lead role of sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who summited Mt. Everest in 1953.
A little over a year after making a worldwide deal for Tenzing, a new film based on the true story of sherpa Tenzing Norgay and his 1953 summiting of Mount Everest, Apple has found its lead in Genden Phuntsok (Jinpa), who will play the title role.
The news comes days after Apple’s announcement that BAFTA nominee Ruth Madeley will lead its disability rights drama Being Heumann, based on the bestselling memoir by Judy Heumann, from CODA Oscar winner Siân Heder. Production is currently underway, and you can check out a first-look still of Phuntsok above.
As previously announced, Tom Hiddleston co-stars in Tenzing as New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, with Willem Dafoe set to portray English expedition leader, Colonel John Hunt, and Caitríona Balfe on board for the role of Jill Henderson, a friend of Tenzing who helped organize trips up Mount Everest. Thinley Lhamo (Shambhala) will round out the cast as Tenzing’s wife, Dawa.
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. After six previous attempts, Tenzing risked everything for one final venture. He had to navigate treacherous politics and perilous weather as he embarked on the most significant climb of his life. Through it all, he did so with humor, warmth, and generosity towards his fellow climbers, but also deep reverence and respect for the sacred Mother Goddess of his mountain, Jomolungma.
Luke Davies (Lion) penned the script for the biopic. Pic’s director is Jennifer Peedom, who has a close relationship with the Tenzing family and the Sherpa community following her work on the BAFTA-nominated documentary, Sherpa. Producers include Liz Watts, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films, alongside Desray Armstrong, Peedom and Davies. Norbu Tenzing (son of Tenzing Norgay), Simon Gillis and David Michôd will serve as executive producers, with Pravesh Sahni co-producing and Rakesh Singh line producing for Itop Film Productions.
A Chinese actor of Tibetan descent, Phuntsok is best known for turns in films like Jinpa and Wind. Lhamo has appeared in films including Shambala, Hari, and Naakaa. Neither appears to have U.S. reps at this time.
Caitríona Balfe is set to join the ensemble of Apple Original Films upcoming pic Tenzing, which already stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Daf
EXCLUSIVE: Caitríona Balfe is set to join the ensemble of Apple Original Films upcoming pic Tenzing, which already stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe. Jennifer Peedom is directing the film. Peedom has a close relationship with the Tenzing family and the Sherpa community following her acclaimed documentary, Sherpa.
Oscar-winning producer See-Saw Films (The King’s Speech) is producing Tenzing, about the inspirational life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and his summit of Mount Everest in 1953 alongside fellow outsider New Zealander Edmund Hillary. Balfe will play ‘Jill Henderson,’ a friend of Tenzing who helped organize trips up Mount Everest.
Tibetan born Tenzing Norgay, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. After six previous attempts, Tenzing risked everything for one final venture. He had to navigate treacherous politics and perilous weather as he embarked on the most significant climb of his life. Through it all, he did so with humor, warmth, and generosity towards his fellow climbers, but also deep reverence and respect for the sacred Mother Goddess of his Mountain, Jomolungma.
Script comes from Oscar-nominated Luke Davies (Lion) and producers are Liz Watts, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films, alongside Desray Armstrong, Jennifer Peedom and Luke Davies. Executive producers are Simon Gillis, David Michôd and Norbu Tenzing.
Best known for her role as Claire Fraser in the hit Starz series Outlander Balfe currently co-stars alongside Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, and Laurence Fishburne in 20th Century thriller The Amateur, an espionage thriller film directed by James Hawes and written by Gary Spinelli, based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell. The film was released in theaters on April 11, 2025.
In 2024, Balfe starred opposite Orlando Bloom in the boxing drama The Cut, directed by Sean Ellis. The film follows a retired boxer who returns to the ring for one last shot at the title as he embarks on an intensive and illegal weight cut program with an unscrupulous trainer. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2024.
As for her hit series, Balfe’s portrayal of ‘Claire Fraser’ has received critical acclaim in which she most recently received a Critics Choice Award nomination for her performance in Season 7 Part 2 of Outlander, which premiered on Starz on Nov 22, 2024.
She is repped by WME, Emptage Hallett (UK), Cognition and Jackoway Tyerman, Wertheimer.
The high-profile shoot for Tenzing—Apple's Everest drama starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe—could boost Nepal's global profile, follow
The high-profile shoot for Tenzing—Apple's Everest drama starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe—could boost Nepal's global profile, following films like Doctor Strange and Everest, while highlighting the country’s cultural heritage and natural
A wave of excitement swept through the streets of Kathmandu this week as Hollywood stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe were spotted filming in Nepal for Tenzing, an upcoming high-profile mountaineering drama backed by Apple.
The film, which tells the story of Sherpa legend Tenzing Norgay, who summited Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, has transformed historic sites like Patan Durbar Square into cinematic sets. Locals and tourists watched in fascination as camera crews worked intermittently from Sunday through Monday, with the actors drawing crowds and setting Nepal’s TikTok sphere alight with selfies and behind-the-scenes clips.
The production team is expected to head to the Everest region in the coming days, though specific locations remain undisclosed. Officials welcomed the film’s presence, saying it will help bring international attention to Nepal’s mountain heritage.
“Tenzing” was recently acquired by Apple, which secured worldwide rights to the film in a deal that sold out of the Cannes film market, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hiddleston stars as New Zealander Edmund Hillary, while Dafoe takes on the role of Colonel John Hunt, the British expedition leader. Casting is currently underway for the title role of Tenzing Norgay.
The film will be directed by Jennifer Peedom, known for her acclaimed documentaries Sherpa and Mountain. Peedom has a long-standing relationship with the Tenzing family and the broader Sherpa community. The screenplay is written by Oscar-nominated Lion writer Luke Davies.
Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe are both acclaimed for their versatility. Hiddleston rose to international fame as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Dafoe, a four-time Academy Award nominee, has earned critical acclaim for performances in The Lighthouse, The Florida Project, Platoon, and Spider-Man.
Nepal has long attracted international film productions, especially those set against the backdrop of Everest. Films like Everest (2015) and Marvel's Doctor Strange (2016), which featured scenes shot in Kathmandu, have helped raise the country's global cinematic profile. Observers say projects like Tenzing not only highlight the Sherpa community's pivotal role in mountaineering history but also reinforce Nepal’s status as a destination for adventure tourism and cultural storytelling.
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