What may look like a Hollywood film was actually shot right here in the Treasure Valley by a local family.
The idea behindNinja Cowboy Viking Vs. The Gadgetgentsstarted off simple enough. Kody Newton was showing his kids some movies he made back in college called Ninja Cowboy.
"We really enjoyed them. They were so stupid but we loved them, and our kids loved them. Our kids said 'dad, why don't we make a movie? We would like to make a movie with you'," said Newton.
And so it began, but they needed characters, so when the whole family came to visit they decided it was time to get the kids away from the digital screens and onto a new generation of family movies.
"Instead of just going to see Bruneau Sand Dunes or see Jump Creek we thought hey let's go film there," said Newton.
Equipped with a phone and plenty of cool characters they started shooting the scenes.
"It was fun because they felt like they were creating something like they were apart of it. We would let them write a lot of the parts and a lot of their scenes," explained Newton.
A week later filming wrapped and post production began.
"We edited some of the scenes and they turned out to be much much better than we thought they were going to be, so we thought this is fun as a family movie, but what can we do with this," said Newton.
Then Newton's Nephews' wife brought up the idea of turning it into a Make-A-Wish Fundraiser.
"Their son was a make a wish kid and they had always wanted a way to give back so once Make-A-Wish was aboard I actually had to make a good movie," said Newton.
That good movie is now for an even better cause with all of the proceeds from the Treasure Valley premiere going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"Kids love this movie and families are loving it," said Newton.
What started out as a 45-minute family fun event turned into a real 90-minute movie where the kid's superpowers reach far beyond the screen.
"The movie is really about what happens when life calls you to be a hero. The kids really have become heroes," said Newton. "This is something we are going to remember forever."
If you want to go check out the movie, a viewing is being held at the Overland Park Cinemas at 4:30 on Saturday.
To be a part of the sequel, just head to the Scency Common's on Saturday at noon. The family will be filming there and they are in need of a lot of people for extras.
