'Aquaman' Set to Shoot in Australia in 2017
By Pip Bulbeck, The Hollywood Reporter
Aquaman will find him himself in Surfer’s Paradise during the shoot for his first big-screen outing.
The Australian and Queensland governments on Thursday confirmed that Aquaman will shoot in South East Queensland on the Gold Coast area known as Surfer’s Paradise in the first half of 2017. It will be based at Village Roadshow Studios, which features the largest purpose-built water tank in Australia.
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The film also will mark the return of director James Wan, who will shoot his first feature in Australia since Saw (2004).
Australian arts minister Mitch Fifield said Aquaman will create over 1,000 jobs and spend a total of AUS$150 million ($111 million). The federal government secured the shoot by providing a one-off production grant of AUS$22 million ($16.32 million).
“Queensland was successful in winning a competitive bid to attract Aquaman contributing to our reputation as a leading film destination,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
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Aquaman follows on from back-to-back international productions to be made in Queensland, including Thor: Ragnarok and Pacific Rim 2, which will return to shoot on location in early 2017.
The Warner Bros. and DC superhero film stars Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson. Wan is directing the film, which also will star Amber Heard as Mera, the love interest of Aquaman and eventual queen of Atlantis. Aquaman is set to be released in 3D and Imax on Oct. 15, 2018.
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