Godzilla vs Kong sequel confirmed for Queensland in $119m filming coup

In a $120 million boost for Queensland’s film industry, Legendary Entertainment has confirmed a Godzilla vs Kong sequel will be filmed on the Gold Coast.

The mega-monsters are heading back to Queensland with the sequel to blockbuster Godzilla vs Kong becoming the latest filming coup for the state.

In a boost for Queensland’s film industry, the next instalment in the global MonsterVerse franchise will return to the Gold Coast and southeast Queensland, doubling the $36.5 million that Godzilla vs. Kong invested when it filmed in the state in 2019.

The production was secured through a $16 million investment of Federal Government funding and a further $6.3 million from the State Government.

It is the conclusion to lengthy negotiations to lock in the deal with Legendary Entertainment, after the production got caught up in a State and Federal Government stoush over disclosing their funding incentives.

Godzilla Vs Kong. Photo: Legendary Pictures

Godzilla vs Kong (2021), starring Alexander Skarsgard and Millie Bobby Brown, filmed on the Gold Coast in 2019 while Kong: Skull Island also filmed in the state in 2016.

Producer Eric McLeod said the team were excited to be returning to Queensland for the third time.

“The highly skilled crews, first-rate facilities, and unique locations make filming in Australia a great experience,” he said. “The support from both the federal government as well as Queensland has always been critical to our success in achieving a high level of filmmaking and an unparalleled audience experience.”

The untitled Godzilla vs Kong sequel is expected to inject more than $119 million into the Australian economy, employ more than 500 Australian cast and crew, and more than 750 Australian extras.

It is the 15th production drawn to Queensland under the location incentive, attracting more than $136 million in Federal Government funding and a generating $1.02 billion in expenditure.

Filming of Godzilla Vs Kong at Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast in 2019

“The sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong will boost local businesses in and around the Gold Coast and South East Queensland, provide valuable training opportunities for our up-and-coming industry talent, and showcase Australia’s vibrant and versatile landscapes,” Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said.

It is understood the agreement almost collapsed when the Federal and State Governments engaged in a stoush in February after Mr Fletcher called on Screen Queensland to disclose its funding incentive figures, which they argued was commercial in confidence.

But the situation was resolved, with production coming to an agreement and both Government funding incentives announced on Monday – Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backing the production through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.

Alexander Skarsgard in Godzilla Vs Kong, Images Courtesy of Legendary Pictures

“It’s clear our highly skilled local crew, diverse locations and first-rate facilities was a definite draw card for them to come back again” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The production will inject more than double the $36.5 million that Godzilla vs. Kong brought to the state and is a welcome boost to our economy as we recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and southeast Queensland flooding events.”

“These types of productions benefit our screen industry, deliver local jobs and provide a welcome boost to our small businesses and communities in and around our production sites.”

Filming dates are yet to be announced.

Juggernaut Disney+ series Nautilus is currently filming at Village Roadshow Studios for the remainder of 2022 after production of Young Rock season two and Universal’s Ticket to Paradise recently wrapped.

During the 2021 calendar year, Queensland secured a total 37 productions injecting an estimated $290 million in the economy and created around 3,700 jobs for Queenslanders.

Originally published as Godzilla vs Kong sequel confirmed for Queensland in $119m filming coup