George Clooney: Hollywood actor returns to Gold Coast to shoot new movie Ticket to Paradise

Hollywood stars are coming to the Gold Coast and it will deliver one giant boost to the city. FIND OUT THE DETAILS

HOLLYWOOD superstars George Clooney and Julia Roberts are coming to the Gold Coast to shoot a new movie.

The Academy Award-winning actors will film romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise on the Glitter Strip and in the Whitsundays in late 2021, a move set to inject more than $32.7 million into the economy.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state had secured the film because it was safe from COVID-19.

George Clooney is coming back to the Gold Coast (Randy Holmes via Getty Images)

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“This is huge news for Queensland and further evidence of our global reputation as the place to be for TV and film production,” she said.

“Because of our strong health response and through the efforts of all Queenslanders in dealing with the global pandemic, we’ve emerged as one of the safest places in the world to film.

“We already had a strong reputation as a screen destination before the pandemic but we’ve definitely had more interest from international productions to film here than ever before which is great because it means more jobs for Queenslanders.”

George Clooney with then-girlfriend Celine Balitran on the Gold Coast in 1997

Mayor Tom Tate expects the Coast to feature strongly in the film because the locations here “fits the bill” for the storyline of paradise.

He said funding of the film was “commercial in confidence” but the council had contributed to attracting the production.

The Mayor said he was prepared “to do a cameo” to assist Hollywood legends George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

“This being Ticket to a Paradise, they’ve got to have a fast car, a very fast car”,” the Mayor, an owner of a Ferrari, said.

“I will put my hand around to drive it for them. Looking at George, he likes the outdoors and all that sort of stuff. I think Tallebudgera is a great location, there’s couple of really private (homes) there (where he could stay).

“If he wants another location, sure we have a spare bedroom.”

Mayor Tom Tate with a Ferrari at Palazzo Versace. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

It will be Roberts’ first time on the Gold Coast while Clooney first visited in mid-1997 to promote his infamous flop, Batman and Robin.

The Batman actor flew into Gold Coast Airport on the same plane as co-stars Alicia Silverstone and Elle McPherson, along with director Joel Schumacher, but all took separate limos to the Sheraton Mirage at Main Beach.

During his time on the Coast, Clooney and then-girlfriend Celine Balitran were photographed playing basketball at the Mirage and relaxing.

George Clooney with Celine Balitran meet the press.

George Clooney on the basketball court at the Sheraton Mirage

There were later reports that Clooney was looking to buy property here on the Gold Coast.

Speculation was kicked off after he and Balitran were spotted cruising the city in a limousine, allegedly looking at real estate.

The report claimed the pair had risen early to inspect potential properties.

Clooney responded to the reports with laughter.

Everyone’s been telling me that. I just found out,” he joked to the Bulletin at the time.

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Clooney was popular with locals during his 1997 visit.

“You’ve got a good deal? I’m buying a house on the Gold Coast, congratulate me.

Ticket to Paradise was lured to the city by the state government via Screen Queensland’s production attraction strategy.

It will feature Clooney and Roberts as a divorced couple who travel to Bali to attend their daughter’s wedding.

It will be directed by Ol Parker.

Clooney Tunes: Celine Balitran, George Clooney and Daffy Duck.

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said that Queensland was punching above its weight.

“Initially it was about finding a COVID-safe place to film, but now the discussions with producers and directors are about the diversity of locations, first-rate sound stages, depth of crew, and just how fantastic it is to work here,” Ms Munnich.

“Producers who hadn’t filmed here before are saying to us, ‘we can’t wait to come back and produce more projects in Queensland — you’ve got everything here and it’s just so easy.’ The word is well and truly out.”

Originally published as George Clooney: Hollywood actor returns to Gold Coast to shoot new movie Ticket to Paradise