GC MOVIE SEQUEL
THOR BLIMEY: Push for second studio to feed city film boom
MAYOR Tom Tate says the city needs to build a second giant sound stage or risk losing silver-screen blockbusters such as Thor, Elvis and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Gold Coast has lured several major productions since mid-2020 when COVID threw Hollywood into a spin, projects the state government says have created more than 3000 jobs and injected $260m into the economy.
Those lured to the Coast include Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Byron Bay local Chris Hemsworth.
However, Councillor Tate said a sound stage even bigger than Studio 9 at Oxenford was needed to capitalise on the demand and ensure the Hollywood bigwigs did not go elsewhere.
“My vision is for the Gold Coast to become the Hollywood of the South Pacific and this is possible because it is a viable industry which is heading towards a critical mass,” Cr Tate said. “Quite simply, we can’t afford to miss out on blockbusters that are looking for a COVID friendly and safe destination.”
He wants all three tiers of government to chip in for the build, tipped to cost $20m.
MAYOR Tom Tate says the city needs to build a second giant sound stage or risk losing silver-screen blockbusters such as Thor, Elvis and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The film studio built at Village Roadshow ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games is full with a laundry list of high-profile movies spanning well into the future.
Seven major productions have either filmed on the Coast since mid-2020 or are in production here. The state government says the projects created more than 3000 jobs and injected $260m into the economy.
Those lured to the Coast include Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Byron Bay-based superstar Chris Hemsworth has also used his sway to secure major films to film both on the Gold Coast and Sydney so he can remain with his family while US actor Zac Efron has relocated to Australia.
However, Councillor Tate said a sound stage even bigger than Studio 9 at Oxenford was needed to capitalise on the demand and ensure the Hollywood bigwigs did not go elsewhere.
An international-quality sound stage is expected to cost more than $20m. Cr Tate wants all three tiers of government to pay for it. He also wanted increased film industry incentives such as tax relief, financial carrots and free rent on city filming sites.
While the Gold Coast has successfully won several major projects, it has missed out on several others including Thor: Love and Thunder, either as a result of lacking studio space or to higher incentives offered by NSW.
“To be truly globally competitive in the film industry we need to ensure the necessary facilities are available 365 days of the year and a new purpose-built studio and post-production facility will put us ahead of other cities not only in Australia but throughout the world.
“Quite simply, we can’t afford to miss out on blockbusters that are looking for a COVID-friendly and safe destination. My vision is for the Gold Coast to become the Hollywood of the South Pacific and this is possible because it is a viable industry which is heading towards a critical mass.”
Cr Tate said beefing up the film industry would have long-term benefits.
“It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs in this new economy and for each million spent in the film industry here, the economic multiplier is about 12-times.”
Cr Tate said he hoped to secure funding for the project as part of the 2032 Olympic Games infrastructure rollout.
Director Baz Luhrmann recently wrapped filming on his big-budget Elvis biopic while Ron Howard is continuing to shoot Thirteen Lives, a thriller about the 2018 Thai caves rescue.
As filming begins this week on season two of the US series The Wilds, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed an “outstanding calendar” of productions is in the pipeline for Gold Coast in the coming year.
“This is boom time for Queensland’s screen industry and it means jobs for Queenslanders, and millions of dollars for our economy,” she said.