Australia’s Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has announced that two major feature films, Sir Ridley Scott’s next production for 20th Century Fox titled Alien: Paradise Lost and Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, starring Australian Chris Hemsworth, will be filmed in Australia from 2016.
The announcement is expected to bring more than $300 million in offshore investment to Australia’s economy, provide over 3,000 jobs and use the services of thousands of Australian businesses.
“Australia’s creative industries are well placed to take advantage of a growing global economy and I have been actively promoting Australia for the production of major international films,” Minister Bishop said. “Our high quality facilities, leading industry experts, outstanding creative talent and diverse landscapes have given us an exceptional reputation as a world-class destination.”
The Government’s investment is expected to add to Australia’s attractiveness in the lucrative but highly contested market for quality international film production.
“Attracting these two blockbuster films cements Australia’s place as one of the world’s best filming locations. Australian crews and actors will also gain the skills and experience to further strengthen our capacity to produce high-quality films for Australian and international audiences,” Minister for the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield said. “We are delighted to secure these two high profile international films that will support economic growth and innovation in Australia’s world-leading local production industry.”
The Australian Government will invest $47.25 million to attract these feature films to Australia. Earlier this year, Marvel’s parent company Walt Disney Studios worked with the Australian government and Queensland state government in filming the mega-sequel Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, starring Johnny Depp.
Thor: Ragnarok will close out the Asgardian trilogy with a screenplay by Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World) and Craig Kyle (producer on previous two Thor films), and will continue the cliffhanger of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) having secretly taken the throne in guise of his adoptive father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), and also includes a team-up with Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). “Flight of the Conchords” and What We Do in the Shadows helmer Taika Waititi will direct the upcoming film, which Marvel Studios will release on November 3, 2017 in 3D/2D theaters and IMAX.
Production on Ridley Scott’s Prometheus sequel/Alien prequel Alien: Paradise Lost is set to begin in early 2016, with Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender set to reprise their roles of scientist Elizabeth Shaw and the android David, respectively. Jack Paglen (Transcendence) and Michael Green (Green Lantern) are providing the screenplay.
