Written by new-contact on Apr 3, 2013. Posted in On Location

Disney chooses Australia filming locations for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Disney has chosen to film on location in Australia for its epic remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Australian government committed a one-off filming incentive payment of nearly AUD22 million to secure the shoot.

“The announcement of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to film in Australia will result in meaningful benefits for the industry and the economy,” commented Debra Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Ausfilm, “including jobs, skills and training, and investment back into the local industry.

“This one-off payment highlights the importance of an attractive Location Offset which can successfully compete for large-scale international production to shoot in Australia.”

The Australian government is hoping the film will have as big an impact regionally as Hugh Jackman’s The Wolverine, which generated AUD80 million of investment and contracted the services of more than a thousand Australian companies.

“There has been renewed interest in Australia as a preferred location following the one-off grant provided by the Federal Government to The Wolverine and the substantial benefits such a production brings,” Richards added.

This one-off payment highlights the importance of an attractive Location Offset which can successfully compete for large-scale international production to shoot in Australia.

Debra Richards, Ausfilm

The Australian government has been under pressure to double the value of its Location Offset, but recently opted to delay an increase and instead launch a AUD20 million incentive filming fund.

Securing 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be a huge boost for the country, which has struggled to appeal to big-budget international productions in recent years partly because of a strong dollar.