Ron Howard: Filming begins on new Eden movie on the Gold Coast

He gave the world Happy Days in the 1970s but now Ron Howard is giving the Gold Coast plenty to smile about, with new numbers revealing just how valuable he really is. FULL STORY

Hollywood director Ron Howard will call action on his new film Eden on Monday as the Gold Coast’s multi-billion dollar film industry wakes from its months-long slumber.

Cameras will begin rolling at Village Roadshow Studios on the multimillion-dollar survival epic, which will star Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl and Sydney Sweeney.

It will be the Apollo 13 director’s second film shot on the Gold Coast following 2021’s Thirteen Lives.

Mr Howard says he was attracted to come back by the professionalism of the local community and his great experience during his last visit here in 2021.

Hollywood director Ron Howard and his wife Cheryl Howard at the Groundwater festival on the Gold Coast. Picture: Brad Wagner.

“I have always been impressed with the professionalism and creative spirit of the Australian film community,” he said.

“My experience with our Queensland crew on Thirteen Lives only confirmed that and more.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to bring Eden to Queensland and continue the collaboration.”

The new film, which Howard has been scouting locations for, “follows a group of people fuelled by a profound desire for change; in order to turn their back to society they leave everything behind and set their futures on the harsh landscape of the Galapagos”.

Jude Law has already arrived and enjoy Paul McCartney’s Gold Coast show earlier this month.

The production is tipped to inject $26.5 million into the economy and create more than 300 local jobs.

It comes as production resumes on Apples Never Fall, Mortal Kombat II and How to Make Gravy, all of which were suspended during the Screen Actors Guild strike.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the industry was getting back on track.

“Ron Howard’s return to Queensland reinforces our state’s renowned reputation as a destination of choice for the world’s leading filmmakers,” she said.

L-R Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton and Viggo Mortensen on set of Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives, which was made on the Gold Coast in 2021. Picture: Courtesy of Imagine Entertainment and MGM

“Our government’s commitment to developing Queensland’s screen industry secures high-profile local, national and international film and series, which ultimately creates good local jobs.

“Since 2015, the Production Attraction Strategy has generated $2bn for the economy and created more than 20,000 jobs.

“Queensland’s screen production sector also supports small businesses across an array of industries – from accommodation to medical services, catering to landscaping, recycling to wardrobe supplies.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Among the films produced on the Gold Coast under the strategy were Thor Ragnarok, Thirteen Lives, Aquaman and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.

Screen Australia’s latest national Drama Report, released last month, revealed nearly 30 per cent of all scripted film and television was made in Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk said: “Queensland has so much to offer, and the world has recognised this”.

“The Gold Coast is at the heart of our screen success,” she said.

“We have attracted more productions to our shores on the back of our strong response to Covid-19, which has seen thousands of local jobs for cast and crew created right here.”