Philip Reeve's novel Mortal Engines was first published in 2001. Production for a film take is due to start in September.

The Sir Peter Jackson-produced blockbuster Mortal Engines will have a distinctly Kiwi feel, according to the latest cast list.

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.

Casting details for the film were released on Tuesday, showing at least 10 New Zealand actors would play a part in the film, alongside Jackson's production crews.

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Matrix and Lord of The Rings star Nathaniel Lees would once again join Jackson's troupe, with comedian and The Hobbit star Mark Hadlow and former Shortland Street star Joel Tobeck.

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Production for the film was due to begin in September.

Supplied Caren Pistorius as Rose Ross in New Zealand film Slow West.

The sci-fi script is based off Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines books, first published in 2001. The books were based in the future, where cities traverse earth on huge wheels and devour each other.

Caren Pistorius​, from the 2015 film Slow West, as well as Stephen Ure, Maria Walker, Khan West, Peter Rowley and Megan Edwards had also joined Jackson's cast.

It had already been announced that New Zealand storyboard artist Christian Rivers would sit in the directing chair for Mortal Engines. Rivers had worked alongside Jackson on films such as The Hobbit and won an Oscar for his work on King Kong.

Producer Peter Jackson (right) and Director Christian Rivers (left) are gearing up to film Mortal Engines.

The lead role playing Tom Natsworthy had been given to Irish actor Robert Sheehan, known for his work on Fortitude and Misfits.

Mortal Engines is due out in December 2018.

Jackson's production company put a call out for extras in January, offering $200 a day to actors who could start for pre-production filming.