The Portable Door: Behind the scenes of Qld’s latest blockbuster

A new Queensland filmed blockbuster has hit the big screen, bringing together an all-star cast led by Australia’s favourite Kiwi actor, Sam Neill, and the talented Christoph Waltz.

A new Queensland-filmed blockbuster hits the big screen Australia-wide from March 24, bringing together an all-star cast led by Australia’s favourite Kiwi actor Sam Neill, and the talented Christoph Waltz, for a family friendly film that offers a hefty dose of enchantment and escapism.

At its core, The Portable Door is a fantasy adventure comedy about office politics with a magical twist, based on the beloved Tom Holt novels.

Humphrey Wells played by Christoph Waltz and Dennis Tanner, played by Sam Neill, in a scene from The Portable Door. Picture: The Jim Henson Company

And with multi-award winning Queensland director Jeffrey Walker – known for his work on Modern Family, Lambs of God, Young Rock and Ali’s Wedding – at the helm, audiences can rest assured that they are in for a treat.

Viewers are already raving about The Portable Door, calling the movie’s magical qualities reminiscent of both Narnia and Harry Potter, complete with mystical creatures that inhabit the film’s fantastical world to the stunning visuals that bring it to life.

Director Jeffrey Walker told The Courier-Mail he was immediately drawn to the script from the first read.

“I hadn’t read anything like it – and the script appealed to all these fabulous actors from all over the world from New Zealand in the States, Christoph Waltz and San Neil’s, it’s amazing,” he said.

“It’s a wild fantastical Jim Henson Company project, it’s got creatures, its magic, it’s about a company that curates coincidence the world over.”

Director Jeffrey Walker at the Portable Door Queensland Premiere at HOTA on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

The Portable Door was filmed at Pinnacle studios on the Gold Coast, and parts of Brisbane CBD during the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2021.

“It was in the middle of Covid, so we had to bring all the actors from all over the world, they would have to do two weeks of quarantine and they could come and work with us,” Walker said.

“So it was it was a crazy time but we’re so happy to have made it here.”

The Portable Door was filmed entirely in South East Queensland in the height on the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: Supplied

The production contributed to around $15 million and 200 jobs to the economy according to Screen Queensland.

The Portable Door opens in cinemas on Friday and will be streaming on Stan from April 7

35+ Photos: Portable Door screening at HOTA

VIEW GALLERY