Italy’s international production profile has been given a lift since its filming incentives were boosted in 2014. Recent projects have included DC Comics' big-budget feature Wonder Woman, which shot at Castel del Monte and in the city of Matera.
Prior to Wonder Woman, Ben-Hur filmed at Cinecitta Studios with Filmmaster Productions as partners. The movie received filming incentive support worth nearly USD25 million.
Rome’s ancient historical monuments are understandably popular among international producers but the bureaucracy involved with protecting them can be frustrating to some.
Other high-profile international productions partly shot in Italy recently have included historical drama Marco Polo, superhero sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron and the true-life mountaineering drama Everest, which doubled the Dolomites for the Himalayas.
Fort Bard is really the location hub of the film. We researched castles across Europe and found that Ford Bard had a great cinematic setting nestled in the mountains. There was a real hint of mystery about what was inside and beneath it, and that worked particularly well for our story.
Jamie Lengyel, Supervising Location Manager on Avengers: Age of Ultron
Italy’s climate is generally temperate. Only rarely does the temperature rise above 40C during the summer or drop below 10C in winter.
Seasons are fairly determinate. Winter is long and cold especially in the northern regions. Spring can be rainy with sunny days. Summer is hot and dry with occasional rain storms while autumn is usually mild with occasional rain.
The northern regions experience chilly winters, hot summers and regular rain distribution, while conditions become milder as you head south. Italy can be divided into three distinct geographical regions: the north, the centre and the south (including Sicily and Sardinia).
