Queensland continues to build on its stellar reputation as a paradise for ambitious productions, luring acclaimed director Ron Howard back to the sunshine state for the survival thriller Eden.
Eden brought a cast of Oscar-nominated and award-winning talent to our shores including Jude Law (The Talented Mr Ripley, Sherlock Holmes), Ana de Armas (Blonde), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman, Napoleon), Daniel Brühl (All Quiet on the Western Front) and Sydney Sweeney (The White Lotus, Euphoria).
Written by Noah Pink (Tetris) and produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Karen Lunder; AGC Studios’ Stuart Ford; and Bill Connor and Patrick Newall, Eden explores the unsettling true story of a group of disillusioned Europeans who settle on a remote, uninhabited island in the Galápagos—a utopian dream rapidly unravelled by jealousy, paranoia and deceit.
Queensland doubles for the Galápagos
The production leaned on Queensland’s remarkable ability to double for distant, exotic landscapes. For Ron Howard and his team, the goal was to find locations that offered the environmental diversity needed to capture the raw beauty and hostility of Floreana Island. Settings were chosen not only for their visual appeal but also for their power to heighten narrative tension and authenticity.
“Choosing a location to shoot a film in is of the utmost importance, and Queensland is a premier international production location, with its creatively adept talent and crews, supportive filming community and beautiful exterior locations.”
Ron Howard, Director
Filmed on location across the Gold Coast, the production transformed the region’s natural landscapes into a cinematic paradise. With lush rainforests, pristine coastlines and rugged terrain, the area provided the perfect backdrop for evoking the primal and untamed. Complemented by luxury accommodation, fine dining and an accessible international airport, the Gold Coast offered the perfect mix of locations and modern convenience.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Queensland to shoot our latest film, Eden. From the skilled and hard-working crews, to high quality facilities and the beautiful and unique locations, it’s exciting to see how Queensland has grown into a leading location for international productions.
Bill Connor, Producer
The home and grounds of Dr. Friedrich Ritters––played by Jude Law––were brought to life amid the moody landscapes of Stapylton on the Gold Coast. Bounded by the Albert River, this versatile location features dramatic rock formations and expansive rural land, ideal for large-scale set construction.
The dense wetlands and rugged bushland at Coombabah on the Gold Coast created an authentic sense of isolation. These natural backdrops became the stage for pivotal scenes of suspense and survival, seamlessly standing in for the Galápagos wilderness.
Main Beach, in the heart of the Gold Coast, served as a stunning backdrop for the settler’s imagined paradise in the film. This wild stretch of coastline, with its sweeping ocean vistas, became the film’s “Paradiso” capturing the beauty and temptation of an idealised world.
Miami Beach offered a change in tone, where volcanic-like rock formations stood in for the Galápagos lava fields. These jagged surfaces offered striking contrasts without the need for heavy set dressing.
“It is pretty singular, the talent and the beauty and the variety of options that exist here in Queensland. You won’t find better crews, better locations, better work ethic. Everybody who works in the industry in Queensland has a level of dedication and creativity that they bring to everything they do every day. It’s a joy to work here and I would come back in a heartbeat.”
Karen Lunder, Producer
Eden is the second Ron Howard feature film to be made in Queensland following the 2022 release Thirteen Lives. Once again, the state demonstrated its ability to double for some of the world’s most challenging and remote environments while delivering world-class facilities, crew and locations.
Eden was based at Village Roadshow Studios and proudly supported by the Australian Government through the Location Offset, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and the Local Government through the City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program.
Watch the trailer:
Screen Queensland is the state government-owned screen agency for one of Australia’s leading production destinations, offering bespoke location services and competitive incentives. The Production Attraction Incentive is available to productions with a minimum spend of AU$3.5 million in the state and can be used in conjunction with the federal government’s Location Offset. The 15 per cent Post, Digital, Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive is available to projects spending a minimum AU$250,000 on qualifying PDV. Screen Queensland also offers location and scouting assistance.
For more information about Screen Queensland Studios, incentives, location services and Queensland-based post-production facilities, contact:
LOCATIONS AND INCENTIVES
Naomi Wenck – Head of Production Attraction
[email protected]
SCREEN QUEENSLAND STUDIOS
Mark Melrose – Head of Studios and Physical Production
[email protected]
+61 401 965 083