Hollywood director James Cameron is set to serve as the executive producer of a new and upcoming Maori centric drama film Taonga. The film is helmed by newcomer Shane Rangi, who has worked with James on production and writing of Avatar films.

Besides direction, Shane has also written the script of the film. A Ngati Porou descent himself, Taonga will tell the tale of the indigenous Polynesian rugby star who ends up becoming homeless; before a violent encounter with law enforcement leaves him for dead and changes his life.

The film will also have Mikael Borglund of Beyond International, Scott Frank, Sandy Climan, Dominique Appleby, and McKenzie Van Dorne Rice serving as the executive producers. The film is expected to go on floors sometime in 2024 in New Zealand.

Casting will only after the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike finishes. Taonga is backed by Fandomodo Films.