Bringing Hollywood to Melbourne: Cameras rolling in Melbourne for Netflix’s sci-fi action film War Machine

Hollywood stars Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Jai Courtney and Blake Richardson are in Melbourne to film Netflix’s upcoming $73m sci-fi action film War Machine.

Producer Greg McLean, actor Blake Richardson and director and co-writer Patrick Hughes on the set of War Machine. Picture: Ben King

War Machine, a $73m sci-fi action film blockbuster, is the first in a bold plan “to bring Hollywood to Melbourne” by acclaimed Australian producer/director Greg McLean and director/writer Patrick Hughes.

McLean, who directed the hit Netflix series Territory, and wrote, directed and produced Wolf Creek, and Hughes have set up Huge Film with screenwriter James Beaufort and have a pipeline of international productions they hope to film in Victoria.

War Machine, starring Reacher star Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Jai Courtney and Blake Richardson, is the first cab off their rank.

Alan Ritchson is set to star in War Machine, being filmed in Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Dennis Quaid, who stars in War Machine, with Lynn Cornfield at Werribee Park Golf Club. Picture: Supplied

War Machine, which follows a group of recruits of a special operations ranger boot camp who encounter a deadly force from beyond this world, has been filming at the Docklands Studios, Bright, Myrtleford, Oakleigh, Werribee and Laverton over the past eight weeks.

For much of the past fortnight it has been shooting at the RAAF base at Laverton.

On Monday, 150 extras along with Ritchson and Richardson were filming a scene where they were being drilled by their commander played by Dennis Quaid.

“We have a lot of ex-military, police, fire brigade (members) and cross fit trainers (as extras),” Hughes said.

“That was required because the movie is set around RASP, Ranger Assessment Selection Program, and we needed people that physically were capable.”

Hughes said bringing a film of the scale and budget of War Machine to Melbourne was lifelong dream.

“I spent the last couple of years writing scripts for three different studios, this is the first one, and the plan is to bring the productions back to Australia because I truly believe we do have the best crews in the world,” he said.

“I think we can make big scale, big budget, Hollywood productions and make them locally and boost the economy.”

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, MP Colin Brooks, director and co-writer Patrick Hughes, actor Blake Richardson and producer Greg McLean on the set of War Machine in Laverton. Picture: Ben King.

McLean said a desire to work in Australia fuelled the creation of Huge Film.

“Patrick and I have both worked overseas, but we both want to be home with our families here and raise our kids here,” McLean said.

“We want to set up a mini studio model were we keep on bringing international productions to Australia, because it is one of the best places in the world to make film and TV.

“We just want to be able to build the industry here and keep working consistently at home by bringing Hollywood to Melbourne. This (War Machine) is the first one and hopefully it is the start of many, many more.”

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said: “Victoria is in high demand as a screen destination because of our stunning locations, screen business infrastructure, expert local crew and exceptional creative talent.”

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said War Machine would captivate audiences.

“This large budget action thriller is proof that our high concept, original ideas and incredible production capabilities are attracting increasing international investment into our growing screen economy,” she said.