Ausfilm welcomes yesterday’s announcement by the Australian government and NSW state government that 20th Century Studios’ feature film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will film in Sydney this year.

Attracted to Australia by the Federal Government’s Location Incentive, with additional funding through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW fund, the next instalment of the Planet of the Apes saga has set up production at Sydney’s Disney Studios Australia (renamed from Fox Studios Australia).

Production is underway with the film set to boost Australia’s already thriving screen sector. The blockbuster will provide more than 400 local jobs and is predicted to inject over AU$128 million into the local economy, utilising the services of more than 1,000 local businesses.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke said the funding was part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening employment and skills development opportunities for all Australian screen workers,

“I’m excited to welcome Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to Australia. This production will support jobs and give our leading digital and visual effects workers the opportunity to showcase their talents to global audiences.”

Tony Burke, Federal Minister for the Arts

“Through our incentives, international production companies have the confidence to invest in Australia – to train our screen industry professionals, facilitate research and development in Australia, and to encourage the building of more studios. This is essential for the growth of our entire screen industry and will provide a consistent career pathway for the next generation of Australian talent and filmmakers.” 

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball (The Maze Runner trilogy), will open a brand new chapter in the Planet of the Apes saga, picking up many years after the conclusion of 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes. The film stars Owen Teague (It), Freya Allan (The Witcher), Peter Macon (The Orville), Eka Darville (Jessica Jones) and Kevin Durand (The Strain).

“Weʼre thrilled to be in Sydney filming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at the world-class Disney Studios Australia. Planet of the Apes is one of the most iconic and storied science fiction franchises in film history and an indelible part of our studiosʼ legacy.”

Steve Asbell, President of 20th Century Studios

Ausfilm CEO, Kate Marks welcomes the announcement saying,

“Ausfilm and its membership of 55 screen service companies celebrate this announcement and appreciate the ongoing support from the Australian Government and State Governments, in helping our industry to attract international film and TV productions to Australia.”

Kate Marks, Ausfilm CEO

Ms Marks says the benefits that productions like this deliver to Australia’s local industry cannot be overstated, “Large-scale international productions have the scope and scale to deliver significant jobs and training opportunities and the ability for Australian screen businesses to access the latest technology developments, keeping them at the cutting-edge of global screen innovation.”

Marks continues, “This announcement is great news for the local industry on the back of another international production recently supported by the Australian Government, the Russell Crowe-starring Land of Bad.”

NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon Ben Franklin, said: “The decision to film this blockbuster production Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in Sydney is a testament to the value of NSW Government support and the calibre of our globally competitive NSW screen industry. Secured through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW fund, this major international production will boost our economy and create more jobs and opportunities and enhance skills development for crews and cast.”

Read the full press release from Minister Burke and Minister Franklin here.