Australia has become the new Hollywood during the Covid-19 pandemic as major movie studios relocate their productions Down Under.
And a new report suggests the influx of famous actors and filmmakers filming projects here is expected to inject more than $1.47billion into Australia’s economy.
The suite of locally produced blockbusters has also created more than 11,800 industry jobs, according to The Australian.
While there has been some resistance to A-list stars getting ‘special treatment’ by being allowed to quarantine privately instead of at hotels, the latest figures prove the film productions are absolutely a worthwhile investment.
From Thor to Nine Perfect Strangers and Elvis: Hollywood big-budget blockbusters expected to inject $1.5 BILLION Down Under and create more than 12,000 industry jobs. Pictured: Chris Hemsworth as Thor
The likes of Chris Hemsworth and Nicole Kidman led the charge at the start of the pandemic by encouraging American film studios to base their productions in Australia, which has handled the Covid crisis better than most countries.
Kidman’s mini series Nine Perfect Strangers, starring the likes of Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale, wrapped filming in Byron Bay in December.
That production is believed to have injected more than $100million into the New South Wales economy and created hundreds of jobs.
Hemsworth began shooting Netflix sci-fi film Escape from Spiderhead on Queensland’s Gold Coast in November.
He also kicked off Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney in January, alongside co-stars Christian Bale, Chris Pratt and Natalie Portman.
Backing the industry: Australian heavyweights Chris Hemsworth (pictured) and Nicole Kidman led the charge at the beginning of the deadly virus’ outbreak, encouraging directors and studios to move their productions Down Under where it was safe to film
Success! Nicole’s Hulu show Nine Perfect Strangers, also starring Melissa McCarthy, is believed to have injected more than $100million into the state economy
Director Benjamin Millepied, who is married to Natalie Portman, has also begun work on his film adaptation of the opera Carmen, which stars Elsa Pataky and Paul Mescal.
Meanwhile, Liam Neeson is shooting action movie Blacklight in Melbourne, while Jamie Dornan and Zac Efron are both filming projects in South Australia.
Production of Netflix series Pieces of Her was also relocated from Canada to Sydney due to coronavirus fears.
The drama, starring Australiana actress Toni Collette, is expected to deliver 400 local jobs and contribute an estimated $58million to the NSW economy.
George Miller’s $60million fantasy drama Three Thousand Years of Longing is being filmed in Sydney’s northern suburbs with Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba.
Wow! Netflix’s Pieces Of Her, starring Toni Collette (pictured), is expected to deliver 400 local jobs and contribute an estimated $58million to the NSW economy
Enjoying Aussie life: While Natalie Portman (pictured) films Thor in Sydney, her director husband, Benjamin Millepied, has also commenced work on his adaptation of the opera Carmen, starring Spanish actress wife Elsa Pataky and Normal People’s star Paul Mescal
Sneak peek: Zac Efron, who has been lively in Byron Bay, recently begun filming for a Stan Original series ‘Gold’ in South Australia
Stars galore! Liam Neeson is filming in Melbourne for action film Blacklight
Last year, Universal Studio Group inked a deal to shoot three of its upcoming TV shows in Queensland: Young Rock, about the early life of Dwayne Johnson, Irreverent, and a Tiger King spin-off called Joe Exotic.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the productions would contribute $143million to the state’s economy.
Some films, like Oscar-winning director Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives, about the 2018 Thai cave rescue, have been supported by millions of dollars in government funding.