Is ‘Aussiewood’ the new Hollywood? Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron and Julia Roberts are all shooting films in Australia – here’s why
- Nicole Kidman’s Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers and Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder were filmed in Australia; Mad Max: Furiosa will be shot there too
- As Covid-19 hit the US hard, Hollywood has moved more productions Down Under for its diverse settings, from beach resorts like Byron Bay to rainforests
Russell Crowe couldn’t have picked a better time for his project, a new film studio in Coffs Harbour, halfway between Sydney and Australia’s Gold Coast.
Crowe, a New Zealand-Australian who won an Oscar for Gladiator, happens to live nearby, which is certainly handy.
That is not the main reason for the location though. His choice reflects a growing number of international film productions run in Australia as the US film and streaming industry embraces the country, a trend that leaves many wondering if “Aussiewood” might indeed be the new dream factory.
A slew of factors are drawing in directors and producers, starting with the diversity of the landscapes available. There are metropolises like Sydney or Melbourne and the outback – not to mention the deep-red deserts, coral reefs, deserted islands and tropical rainforests.
When it comes to locations, Australia offers just about everything a filmmaker could desire.
The pandemic has a role too, making filming more difficult. In more remote Australia, meanwhile, strict regulations meant the virus proved easier to control.
There was also the appeal of a government stimulus package worth A$400 million (US$298 million).
“The international spotlight is firmly on Australia,” Kate Marks, executive director of local government agency Ausfilm, told a parliamentary hearing in 2020.
“Australia really does have the winning combination of some of the best talent globally – both in front of and behind the camera – state-of-the-art studio facilities, incredibly talented and creative post-production and visual effects studios, and locations which can double for almost anywhere in the world,” she said.