There have been several film versions of the Jules Verne novel “The Mysterious Island,” which served as the back-story for the author’s enigmatic Capt. Nemo and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” As far back as 1916, in a film that combined both stories, directors have sought to bring the strange island to life.

The 1929 version from MGM boasted talking, Technicolor and Lionel Barrymore. There was a serialized version in 1951 that screened short chapters on a weekly basis and featured aliens from Mercury. The 1961 version, shot in Spain, promised an unparalleled adventure in motion picture excitement, including a fight to the death with a prehistoric devil fish.

The newest version will showcase Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Michael Caine and Oahu.

“Journey 2: Mysterious Island” is part sequel to the 2008 version of Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” but director Brad Peyton and New Line Cinema aren’t saying much else. Filming began last week in Kaneohe and will continue here until mid-December before moving on to North Carolina.

It also stars Kristin Davis of “Sex and the City” fame, Vanessa Hudgens of “High School Musical,” Josh Hutcherson of the first “Journey” and Luis Guzman, who appeared in “Out of Sight” and “Boogie Nights.”

“Hawaii provides a spectacular setting,” said producer Beau Flynn in an e-mailed statement. “There are unparalleled locations for the action and a terrific local crew base. We are thrilled to be here shooting our movie.”

credit: star-advertiser.com