Behind the scenes of Hollywood movie Wizards! starring Pete Davidson and Orlando Bloom
Extras are being paid up to $150 an hour to work on Orlando Bloom’s latest flick but one insider has revealed it might not be quite as glamorous as you think.
Cairns
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UPDATE, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: AN extra working on the set of the Hollywood movie Wizards! being filmed in Cairns this week has told how it might not be quite as glamorous as one might think.
The extra, who asked not to be named, said they were given food at the Screen Queensland set at the old Bunnings site.
“There was stuff for breakfast, there was an area set up for food,” they said.
“They said to help yourselves to coffee and tea. There was yoghurt, bananas, people were eating brekkie burgers. There was a bit of a spread.”
The extra said they were told beforehand a little about what to expect.
“They said if you are there during the time of meals, your meals will be provided.”
Another hot commodity on set was what most wouldn’t think is a luxury but when dancing for hours on a sweaty set, it was in high demand.
“We got given water throughout the day. They kept passing cups of water and they had a refillable water station.”
“We didn’t get any while filming, that’s why everyone wanted it.”
The movie was expected to inject $14.7 million into the state economy with 100 jobs for Queensland cast and around 300 opportunities for extras.
The film starring Pete Davidson and Orlando Bloom has filmed in locations from the Daintree, Port Douglas to Cairns. Most recently at Gilligans, Rusty’s markets and various locations on Grafton Street.
It is understood extras on set would get rates of $150 per hour for a 12-hour shift on the set.
UPDATE, WEDNESDAY MORNING: PIRATES of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom is rumoured to be travelling to-and-from one of the most luxurious islands in the Far North while shooting his highly anticipated new film, on location in Cairns this week.
The Hollywood heart-throb has been staying on beautiful Lizard Island away from the public glare, a source has confirmed, where a private villa with ocean vistas and an infinity pool will set you back over $6000 a night.
Filming for the movie Wizards! was recently undertaken at nearby Snapper Island, with the Lord of the Rings actor and crew transported by boat and air around the tropical islands.
A staff member for the plush Lizard Island Resort was tight-lipped on whether Bloom – the partner of international pop star Katy Perry – was one of their guests when asked by the Cairns Post on Tuesday.
“I can’t confirm or deny that,” she said.
Bloom and his entourage have been spotted in Port Douglas and Cairns mingling with locals in recent weeks.
UPDATE, TUESDAY AFTERNOON: An extra on the set of a new movie starring Orlando Bloom and Pete Davidson has given an insight into the filming process.
The extra, who asked not to be named, said they were told to arrive at the Screen Queensland Studios set at the old Bunnings to undergo strict Covid tests when they got there.
“We checked in, they did a wardrobe and makeup check. Some people had to change what they were wearing,” they said.
“We got on a bus and went into town and went into a walking area. Then we walked into Gilligans, we had to wait a bit.”
He said they filmed scenes at Attic above Gilligans with Pete Davidson, but Orlando Bloom was missing.
“They would direct us to walk over and mingle with friends, like you would in a normal club,” he said.
“It was really cool but I am exhausted now, all we did was dance.”
There were strict mask rules in place while they were on the Attic dancefloor.
‘We had to wear a mask all day, doing rehearsals we were wearing masks,” he said.
“It was just when we were filming we were allowed to take them off.”
Filming was also done at an alley next to Caffiend on Grafton Street.
Snoogies co-owner Aron Bradshaw said it was cool they set up right in front of his shop.
“It’s so exciting, I’ve been saying it to everyone that’s been setting up,” he said.
“I overheard from one of our customers that was helping set up, it wasn’t a big scene. They just thought it looked good for the Rusty’s scenes.”
Lauren Ackerley, from Sydney said it was exciting a movie was being filmed on a holiday.
“I think it’s great for tourism because it’s going to get more people here,” she said.
UPDATE, TUESDAY MORNING: More than 100 extras will be Covid tested on arrival at the set of a new Hollywood movie being shot in Cairns today, as the strict rules they must adhere to are revealed.
A total of 115 Far North residents eager to get involved in the new film Wizards!, starring Orlando Bloom and Pete Davidson, have ben told to arrive at the Screen Queensland Building at the old Bunnings site at 5.30am as they prepare for a long day.
Each extra is being asked to do their own Covid test and bring their results with them.
Crew will test them all again on arrival, with masks and proof of vaccination certificates mandatory.
“It will be disappointing if anyone has a positive result and has to be sent home,” correspondence seen by the Cairns Post read this morning.
“If you are feeling unwell, do not come to work.”
Each extra has been briefed on what to wear, with photos “of anything to do with the film” strictly forbidden.
They are being paid $150 an hour for their efforts on the highly anticipated new comedy written by Australia’s David Michôd, and also starring Naomi Scott.
MONDAY: Hollywood superstar Orlando Bloom was spotted dining at a popular Cairns restaurant before approaching random people on the street.
NOA owner Sam Byrd said he dined at the restaurant about 5pm on Monday.
“He came in with one other person, his security detail. We didn’t recognise him when he first came in, he had his head down,” he said.
“They were both just dressed super casual, even the car they were driving was a casual blue four-wheel drive.”
It was only at the end of the meal they realised who he was.
“Our manager said ‘has anyone ever told you, you look a lot like Orlando Bloom’ and he just laughed,” he said.
But before that there was one slight altercation.
“He had his foot on the lounge and our manager politely told him to take his foot off the lounge,” he said.
“Orlando was super polite, and said of course.”
Mr Byrd said he ordered a prawn dish which usually comes with a curry sauce and bread on the side but he just wanted plain prawns with some sauteed broccoli.
After the meal Mr Byrd said he saw Bloom getting friendly with people passing by.
“He actually approached a lady, he was talking to the lady with a dog,” he said.
“He approached her as he dropped into the car and she was just walking her dog – I think he was just asking her for directions and what to do.”
EARLIER: HOLLYWOOD has snuck into Cairns with the secret shooting of a celebrity-ladened blockbuster taking place at popular city locations, with extras paid an eye watering “$150 an hour”.
More than 80 Far North actors will be involved in the filming of key scenes of David Michod’s latest movie Wizards, starring Pete Davidson and Orlando Bloom, at The Attic nightclub at Gilligans and Rusty’s Markets.
Both actors were spotted on set as crew set up outside the Grafton Street venue with Cairns-based production teams and talents heavily involved.
It is understood many extras are taking the day off work to cash in on a big payday – with rates of $150 per hour for a 12-hour shift on the set.
One 19-year-old Cairns man, who asked not to be named, said he was “over the moon” to be taking part.
“I was straight with my boss,” he said.
“I told him what was happening and he said you couldn’t let such an opportunity go by.
“Of course, the money is awesome, $150 an hour for 12 hours.
“We don’t know where it is but I believe it could be a nightclub in Cairns.”
A Gilligan’s staff member confirmed the shooting would take place today.
Screenwriter Michod’s most notable works including Animal Kingdom and The King, with Wizards! expected to be a high-grossing comedy.
It’s superstar headliners have been joined in Port Douglas in recent times by their global megastar partners Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry.
The founder of Cairns-based studio Ring of Fire Productions, Anthony Ring, said it was exciting so much local talent was getting opportunity.
He said his booking agency, Platinum Elite Talent, had seen an “absurd” increase in aspiring actors looking for work since the arrived of the American film crew.
“We have increased the amount of talent on the books from about 50-60 to around 300.
“We had no idea we would be inundated with requests for our talent like this.
“This is an incredibly auspicious situation that we find our self in, it has been a little lucky with the timing but it has also been good strategy.
Cairns State High School student and diehard Orlando Bloom fan, Daneeka Valentine, 17, said she had been waiting at Rusty’s Market from 7.30am for a glimpse at the Hollywood hunk.
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“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said.
“I watched Pirates of Caribbean growing up, so that’s where it started for me.
When asked if she was hoping for the chance of getting a “selfie” with the Lord of the Rings star she replied:
“I’m hoping so, school has started so I’m just kind of chilling out here.”
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