Those financial incentives are significant, Butan says, adding there’s a lot of competition around the world for movies, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the UK. He had also considered several cities in Australia.
Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One.
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks says the production will create hundreds of jobs and provide a major boost for the state’s screen industry.
“Victoria has the skills, talent and infrastructure to attract and bring to life major screen productions. Projects like Empire City engage local businesses, create local screen industry jobs, and fuel our economy.”
The production will create 350 jobs for the crew and 860 roles for the cast, casuals and extras, as well as engaging 600 local businesses, according to the minister, who says it will inject more than $35 million into the Victorian economy.
Currie, known for Hacksaw Ridge and the Robbie Williams film Better Man, says Victoria’s artists, technicians and facilities are second to none. “Together, we’re crafting a film that pushes the boundaries of commercial storytelling that hopefully connects with audiences everywhere,” he says.
The production will be filmed at locations across Melbourne, as well as at Docklands Studios.
Butler also starred in How to Train Your Dragon, which featured the work of Melbourne animation and visual effects studio Framestore. According to Brooks’ office, How To Train Your Dragon injected more than $10.5 million into the Victorian economy and generated 115 jobs in animation and visual effects.
Empire City is the latest international movie to film in Victoria, following the horror film Insidious 6, psychological drama The Dispatcher, football biopic The Untitled John Tuggle Project, World War II thriller Play Dead and Liam Neeson action feature The Mongoose.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
