Kiwi director Peter Jackson is looking for Wellingtonians to help bring his latest film to life.

Pre-production is underway for Sir Peter Jackson's next big blockbuster, and Wellingtonians have the chance to be a part of it.

The call has gone out for extras to star in Mortal Engines, Jackson's latest book adaptation based on the 2001 steampunk novel series by Philip Reeve.

Jackson announced the new project in October last year, saying he and writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens would write the script, with Jackson's protege Christian Rivers in the directing chair.

SUPPLIED Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines will be adapted for the screen, and they need extras.

An ad listed on Trade Me was light on details, but said the production required a large number of extras to work in Miramar between March and June, 2017, year.

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The rate per day would be $200 before over time, and extras would be working anything from one to 12 days over the entire project.

REUTERS New Zealanders Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson are getting back together for Mortal Engines.

Applicants were required to have flexible availability, be able to work with 12 hours notice, and have their own transport.

It also asked people to apply only if they were 17 years or over, lived in the capital, and were a resident of New Zealand or held a current work permit.

In October, Jackson backed his decision for Rivers to direct the film, who has won an Academy Award for his visual effect work on 2005's King Kong, and was also second-unit director on the New Zealand-shot Pete's Dragon.

Mortal Engines will be Jackson's first project with Universal Studios in more than 10 years, having last worked with the studio for 2005's King Kong.

Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley told Variety in October that Jackson, Walsh, Boyens and Rivers were "visionary storytellers", with the gift of turning their passion projects into beloved blockbusters for a worldwide audience.

In the far-off future setting of Mortal Engines, Earth's cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for diminishing resources.

Those interested in being an extra on the film should email extras.squeakywheels@gmail.com for an application form.

For more information, see the ad here.