Disney to film live-action Captain Nemo origin story Nautilus on the Gold Coast

Disney is set to bring the story of Captain Nemo to life in Nautilus, a blockbuster live-action adventure series set to film on the Gold Coast in a $96m filming coup.

Disney will film a blockbuster live-action adventure series about sea explorer Captain Nemo on the Gold Coast in a $96m return to the state.

The Queensland Government will today announce the juggernaut Disney+ original series, Nautilus, based on Jules Verne’s classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, will be filmed at Village Roadshow Studios and on location on the Gold Coast early next year.

The ten-part live-action sci-fi adventure will for the first time chart the origin story of the French novelist’s character and his submarine, The Nautilus.

A scene from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Disney is about to film a series called Nautilus on the Gold Coast.

It is the first Disney production to film in Queensland since Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2015 and Thor: Ragnarok the following year, with the succeeding Thor film having shifted to Sydney this year.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Nautilus would inject about $96 million into Queensland’s economy and create 240 jobs for local cast and crew while employing 350 extras.

“We are thrilled that one of the biggest names in the global screen industry has once again chosen our state,” she said.

“With the series set to release to a massive global audience of Disney and sci-fi fans, via the enormously popular streaming platform Disney+, the potential for multiple seasons is a particularly exciting prospect for our local screen workforce, not to mention the huge flow-on benefits to Queensland’s economy as my Government continues to strategically invest in our post-Covid recovery.”

Filming in outdoor water tank at Village Roadshow Studios for The Shallows. Picture: Supplied courtesy Village Roadshow Studios.

The production received funding incentives from both the Federal and State Government, through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.

The Morrison Government offered $23.3 million in assistance through its Location Incentive program.

While cast is yet to be attached to the series, Nemo has appeared in various film adaptations of Verne’s novels, portrayed by celebrated actors including Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine.

But for the first time Nautilus will tell Verne’s story from Nemo’s perspective as an Indian Prince robbed of his birthright and family and bent on revenge.

But once Nemo sets sail with his ragtag crew on board The Nautilus, he not only battles with his enemy, but he also discovers a magical underwater world.

“Jules Verne’s story is a beloved classic all around the world,” said Johanna Devereaux, Disney’s director of scripted original content.

“It’s a huge privilege to bring The Nautilus and her crew to life again in such a bold, exciting way.

“The series will be breathtaking, action-packed, and a huge amount of fun.”

Screen Queensland boss Kylie Munnich said the production was a coup for the state because it required large-scale sets and heavy visual effects for computer-generated creatures and worlds.

An action scene from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Disney is about to film Nautilus on the Gold Coast.

The production will use the water tanks previously critical to the success of films including Aquaman in 2017.

“It’s an epic project on a large scale, scheduled to film in Queensland for many months,” Ms Munnich

“In addition to its sound stages, Village Roadshow Studio’s three water tanks will be critical to this production, alongside expert local crew who are particularly experienced with water work – other key factors that positioned Queensland as a standout candidate to bring this highly anticipated series to life.”

Nautilus joins a host of big-budget productions in Queensland with NBC Universal’s Joe Exotic currently filming in Brisbane, Netflix biopic True Spirit underway on the Gold Coast and a romantic comedy starring Victoria Justice and Adam Demos beginning this week in the nearby Hinterland.

Universal Pictures’ Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, will begin later this year.

Brisbane-based production company Hoodlum has also announced a new Stan Original film, festive movie Christmas on the Farm, starring Hugh Sheridan, Poppy Montgomery and Darren McMullen will shoot in Brisbane this week.