Monster movie jobs boom coming our way

ANOTHER mega-Hollywood blockbuster will be shot in Queensland, creating a jobs boom and $100 million economic injection for the state.

MEGA-Hollywood blockbuster Godzilla V Kong will be shot on the Gold Coast creating a jobs boom and $100 million economic injection for Queensland, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce today.

A second major production, new Disney television action-drama Reef Break, will also be announced today as filming on the Coast.

The shoots are expected to create an economic bonanza for film industry and southeast Queensland — with thousands of jobs to be created and the productions to use the services of 1600 Aussie businesses.

A still from King Kong v Godzilla. Picture: Supplied

Godzilla V Kong, the latest instalment in Legendary Entertainment’s “MonsterVerse cinematic universe” and sequel to Kong: Skull Island, is the first major production to be lured to Australia by the Federal Government’s film industry tax incentives announced in the May budget.

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and Chinese film star Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha) are set to star in the monster blockbuster due for release in 2020.

Mr Morrison, in his fourth trip to Queensland since becoming Prime Minister in August, said the productions were secured with the government’s $140 million Location Offset, which increased from 16.5 per cent to 30 per cent in July.

“These projects will bring hundreds of jobs to the Gold Coast, and further cement its reputation as one of the best places in the world to make movies,” he said.

“I’ve visited some of the businesses that service the film industry on the Gold Coast and they are the best at what they do.

“We want to keep securing big projects like these ones, so local businesses can thrive and keep employing Australians.”

Pre-production for both projects begin this month.

King Kong v Gozilla. Picture: Supplied

Arts Minister Mitch Fifield said the $16 million investment from government would bring more than $100 million back into the Australian economy.

Godzilla V Kong will employ 75 Australian cast members, as well as 432 local crew and 600 extras, while the production will use the services of 1300 Australian businesses. Previously films in the franchise have had budgets topping $160 million.

Cast and crew will spent a combined 5500 room nights in Gold Coast hotels and apartments.

Reef Break has a $48 million budget and is about a former thief working as a fixer for the government of a Pacific Island archipelago.

It will employ 121 Australians in the cast, 175 local crew and 2535 extras, while the production will use the services of 300 Aussie businesses.

Legendary Entertainment creative executive Jay Ashenfelter said the company was thrilled to return to Australia, after filming parts of Kong: Skull Island here in 2016.

“The incredible crews, facilities, and locations Australia offers make for an ideal production location,” he said.

FIVE BLOCKBUSTERS SHOT IN QUEENSLAND

Godzilla v Kong (announced today)
Budget to be finalised. Previous films in franchise have had budgets over $US160m. Will employ more than 1100 cast and crew and 600 extras

Dora the Explorer (currently shooting)
Budget to be finalised. Will create 500 production jobs

Thor: Ragnarok (shot in 2016)

$US180m budget, created 2300 jobs

Aquaman (shot in 2017)

$US160m budget, created 2100 jobs

Kong: Skull Island (shot in 2016)
$185m budget, created 60 jobs