Written by new-contact on Dec 10, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Australia under pressure to raise location offset for David Fincher and Brad Pitt

Australia is under pressure to increase its location offset for filmmaker David Fincher and star Brad Pitt. The pair are set to work together again on Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, but the studio wants a more generous location offset to commit to an Australian shoot.

Disney is reportedly interested both in Village Roadshow Studios near Brisbane in Queensland, and Fox Studios in Sydney. Australia’s location offset officially stands at 16.5%, but Disney wants a rebate closer to the 30% figure awarded to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine (left).

Lynne Benzie is President of Village Roadshow Studios and spoke to news agency AFP: “We have indicated our interest and capacity to assist with a project of this size. They need studios and we have fantastic facilities here, including the largest purpose-built outdoor water tank in Australia.”

The Australian Government is reportedly keen to offer payroll tax rebates and other incentives in place of a raised location offset, but it’s not clear whether that will be enough to satisfy Disney.

They need studios and we have fantastic facilities here, including the largest purpose-built outdoor water tank in Australia.

Lynne Benzie, Village Roadshow Studios

Fincher’s reimagining of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea could involve a local spend of USD200 million, which would be a major boost for the Australian production industry. Without the increased location offset, the project is more likely to head for the UK or Eastern Europe.