Screen Queensland denies allegations of wasted taxpayer funds after Disney pulls ‘Nautilus’

Screen Queensland has denied taxpayer dollars were wasted after Disney axed highly-anticipated adventure show Nautilus.

Screen Queensland has denied taxpayer dollars were wasted after Disney axed highly-anticipated adventure show Nautilus.

The British-produced show, which was filmed primarily in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was earmarked for Disney+ but has been shelved and is now seeking a new home at other studios.

The shock move comes after Disney CEO Bob Iger announced ambitious plans earlier this year to cut $US5.5 billion in costs, including $US3 billion in non-sports content.

The announcement had left several shows and movies like Marvel’s Runaways and Artemis Fowl on the chopping block.

Season one of Nautilus is underway at Village Roadshow Studios. Photo: Vince Valitutti / disney 2022

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney responded to criticisms that more than $30 million in taxpayer subsidies had been wasted on the show, saying the economic benefits had already been poured into the Queensland economy during filming, which validated the initial investment.

“Nautilus contributed more than $96 million to the Queensland economy during its 11-month shoot and employed over 220 Queenslanders as cast, crew and creatines,” Ms Feeney stated.

She said more than $30 million in taxpayer subsidies for the project were part of a broader Production Attraction Strategy (PAS), which had brought an estimated $1.33 billion to the state economy since its inception in 2015.

Ms Feeney also pointed to the broader benefits of Queensland’s film industry initiatives. “Since 2015, our PAS incentive has resulted in 48 productions being made in Queensland,” she said.

“Large scale productions like Nautilus, Elvis, and the forthcoming Boy Swallows Universe series offer substantial training for emerging screen practitioners, ensuring a pipeline of talent for future productions.”

Ms Feeney said, in a year where Screen Queensland supported 18 local productions that created over 1,600 jobs and contributed more than $40 million to the economy, she sees the investment as part of a larger strategy.

Cast and crew from a new Disney production Nautilus pictured on set at the Old Museum in Bowen Hills – British actor Shazad Latif plays Captain Nemo and Australian actress Georgia Flood, Brisbane 6th of May 2022. (Image/Josh Woning)

She said Screen Queensland is not just a booster for international productions but actively supports local Queensland production companies to tell homegrown stories.

The decision not to air Nautilus, a ten-part series based on Jules Verne’s classic novel ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’ starring UK actor Shazad Latif as Captain Nemo, has been met with surprise and disappointment in industry circles.

However, it is understood that Disney remains optimistic that the series will find a new home.

Disney’s Future Strategy

Disney’s cancellation of Nautilus is part of a larger trend in Hollywood focusing on profitability.

“We are in the process of reviewing the content on our DTC services to align with the strategic changes in our approach to content curation,” Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said at the time, indicating that more cuts may be on the horizon.