Thor star toast of Coast for premiere

THE Gold Coast climbs aboard the superhero juggernaut that is Thor: Ragnarok tonight when Robina Town Centre hosts the film’s Australian premiere.

VIPS, special guests and a cast and crew of thousands will converge on the red carpet at Event Cinemas hoping to catch a glimpse – and a selfie – with the film’s star, Chris Hemsworth, and director Taika Waititi.

Tonight’s screening comes hot on the heels of Thor: Ragnarok’s world premiere in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with fans able to watch VIPs and celebs hit the red carpet from 5.30pm before the film screens from 6.30pm.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, one of the VIPS attending tonight’s premiere, said word of mouth from stars such as Hemsworth and co-star Mark Ruffalo and Aquaman’s Amber Heard and Jason Momoa had helped boost our film industry’s reputation.

“They go out dining, they are left alone and they actually enjoy their life experience. They go back and say the Gold Coast is a great place to film.

“Everyone wants to film here. I say to them they are all welcome, just don’t bring your dogs,” he said.

Cr Tate said studios could get permission to film quickly.

“We work in conjunction with Screen Queensland very well and we have officers scouting major film who are looking for good locations and the like,” he said.

Village Roadshow’s Sound Stage 9, the big drawcard for bringing Thor: Ragnarok to the city, is about to be shut down and converted into indoor squash courts for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Cr Tate said this had stalled the film industry a little.

“So when you take away the super sound stage, you know, people they need that kind of level,” he said.

“Post the Commonwealth Games I think you will see some feature films being filmed here in the city.”

Event Cinemas Robina hosts the Thor: Ragnarok premiere tonight, with red carpet arrivals from 6.30pm.