Liam Neeson reveals why he agreed to film in Melbourne

Producers have revealed why Liam Neeson was keen to head to the Victorian capital to film his latest blockbuster.

Liam Neeson is filming in Melbourne.

The director and producer of Liam Neeson’s latest Hollywood blockbuster Blacklight say Melbourne will become a destination for more big productions.

Neeson signed on to film the $43 million action film in Victoria once he was aware of the state’s ability to handle the crippling coronavirus pandemic.

American writer, director and producer Mark Williams, and Australian producer Paul Currie, described it as “smooth” working under strict COVID guidelines with the creation of a central hub at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“It’s so much more safe here, over there (in the US) they’d be on edge,’’ said Williams, who directed Neeson’s last film Honest Thief, and co-created Ozark.

“I’ve had a production going and there’s people going down. We feel lucky to be able to do this right now. Victoria is our bubble and it’s very secure.”

Neeson, 68, was filming on Friday at the Convention Centre where four primary bubbles have been set up plus a “Liam bubble” which comprises cast, make up and standby.

The Northern Irish star has been filming at Macedon, South Yarra, Noble Park and around parts of the city.

“Liam will have been here probably eight or nine weeks with two weeks of quarantine in Sydney as well,’’ said Currie.

The construction site at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

“It’s a big commitment and it was a big decision for him. He made the decision when the numbers got to a good level.

“Everyone had to take a risk to make sure that it would happen and he was definitely part of that. We’re lucky he was as supportive as he was.

“It’s been pretty rapid.

“Testing twice a week with all crew and then sometimes we’re doing inner cast up to three times. And we’ve got on set nurses and tracking of all the data.”

US director Mark Williams on set in Macedon

Currie added: “It’s great for Melbourne, it’s great to have a guy of Liam’s stature and credibility here and the industry back at work. The industry that hasn’t worked most of the year.

“I think Autsralia and New Zealand are going to become the places to film, at least for the next 12 months I would think.

“This is a sign of things to come. It’s great for the industry and for the economy.”

Blacklight has provided a significant boost for the local film and TV industry, bringing in more than 500 local jobs with around-the-clock security.

Neeson, who was last in Melbourne almost 25 years ago, stars as Travis Block, a “troubled off-the-books fixer for the FBI tasked with pulling undercover agents out of dangerous situations”.

Action on set at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

An explosive car chase scene is due to be filmed in Canberra, with the production also featuring LED screen technology similar to that used in Disney’s The Mandalorian.

“When we were first talking about it the numbers were still pretty high in Melbourne,’’ Currie said.

“It was touch and go could we get him to come, was Melbourne going to be safe, and come out of lockdown. And the Federal Government and the Victorian Government got behind it.

“They knew they were looking for something to help stimulate the industry here. They turned around applications very quickly, all with the view of Melbourne needs something like this.

It’s really been a team effort. People just calmly coming together against the odds a little bit and just trying to do something for the good of everyone.”