Gold Coast lands latest DC comic blockbuster, Aquaman

ENTERTAINMENT titan DC Comics will film its first movie in Australia after Scott Morrison agreed to pay the superhero franchise almost $22 million to bring Aquaman to the Gold Coast.

On his way to the Coast: Jason Momoa as Aquaman. Photo: Warner Bros

ENTERTAINMENT titan DC Comics will film its first movie in Australia after Scott Morrison agreed to pay the superhero franchise almost $22 million to bring Aquaman to the Gold Coast.

The blockbuster deal, which will create almost 1200 jobs and pump $160 million into the local economy, will be officially announced by the Treasurer and Arts Minister Mitch Fifield at the Gold Coast today.

An excited Treasurer agreed to pay more to attract the global phenomenon to the Glitter Strip, beating other countries vying for the money spinner.

Aquaman star Jason Momoa with Justice League director Zack Snyder. Photo: Instagram

Aquaman will star Game of Thrones beefcake Jason Momoa and Amber Herd, Johnny Depp’s-ex, who made international headlines after Barnaby Joyce put her in the doghouse last year for smuggling into Australia her US terriers, Pistol and Boo.

The movie also brings home Australian director James Wan, who worked on Saw and the successful franchise, Furious 7.

The investment comes as Thor: Ragnarok has finished filming at the Gold Coast. Member for Forde Bert van Manen told News that those building sets, equipment and other general maintenance for Thor spent $500,000 alone at Oxenford’s Bunnings.

Aquaman star Jason Momoa from his Instagram page.

Mr Morrison’s one-off grant for Aquaman tops-up up the Location Offset, which subsidises a film company based on the amount of production expenditure spent in Australia. The expenditure will be listed in Monday’s Midyear Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

“Making movies is core business for the Gold Coast, supporting jobs and businesses throughout the region. Our decision to back in Thor was a marvel and so will be our decision to back in Aquaman,’’ Mr Morrison said yesterday.

“Providing the $22 million location tax offset concession will ensure that Aquaman picks up where Thor leaves off, cementing Warner Bros Pictures on the Gold Coast as a go to location for DC Comics. DC Comics has now become ‘Very GC’.

Jai Courtney and Jason Momoa at the European Premiere of Suicide Squad at Odeon Leicester Square on August 3, 2016 in London.

“This will mean a continuity of work on these major productions, building our skills base, expertise and reputation.”

“For months now I have been working with Village Roadshow and the Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, together with our local MPs Bert Van Manen, Stuart Robert, Karen Andrews and Steven Ciobo to get this across the line.”

Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo said., “Christmas has come early”.

“The Gold Coast is an aqua play ground. We’ve got the world’s best beaches and waterways so it’s fitting Aquaman will be filmed here.

Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) and Daenerys Targaryuen aka Khaleesi (Emilia Clarke) in Game Of Thrones.

“We’ll officially be the home of Aquaman after this.”

It comes as Mr Ciobo will today release an Australian Screen Production Industry Capability Report, which reveals that in the past five years, about 50 feature films were produced in Australia each year.

Contributions include The LEGO® Movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Mad Max: Fury Road.

The DC Comics website says, “Aquaman is the king of all things aqua. He can breathe underwater, swim at tremendous speeds, and telepathically communicate with sea life. Being able to withstand ocean depths, he gets bonus points on land with his superhuman strength, enhanced senses, and nearly impenetrable skin”.