/Media Releases 26.07.19

JOINT GOVERNMENT RELEASE THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER DOWN UNDER

JOINT GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE: 

The Hon. Paul Fletcher
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Australian Government
&
The Hon. Don Harwin, MLC
New South Wales Minister for the Arts 

 Marvel Studios to film Thor: Love and Thunder in Australia 

The next instalment of Marvel Studio’s major blockbuster Thor franchise will be filmed at Fox Studios in Sydney thanks to the Morrison Government’s $24.1 million Location Incentive grant and support from the New South Wales Government. 

Thor: Love and Thunder follows directly on from the electrifying Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings announcement and will provide unprecedented opportunities for the Australian screen industry with production starting in March and filming in August 2020. 

Marvel Studios will offer a trainee program to further enhance the skills of Australia’s next-generation of screen talent, working with students at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and tertiary institutions to target skill shortages. 

Speaking from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School in Sydney, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the announcement solidifies Australia as a world-class filming and post-production destination. 

“The film is expected to invest over $178 million in our economy, create up to 2,500 jobs and use the services of around 1,650 businesses,” said Minister Paul Fletcher. 

“Australia has an ongoing relationship with Marvel Studios and I’m very pleased they will return to our shores again next year to take advantage of our world-leading screen industry for the next instalment of the Thor franchise.” 

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin MLC said the Made in NSW fund had again secured a major production and will be the third time Marvel Studios visits Australian shores. 

“NSW is the complete package, offering a spectacular location and skilled technicians that can support the requirements of a major blockbuster film,” said Minister Don Harwin. 

“This announcement means Marvel Studios will be producing films in Sydney for the next few years and follows the recent announcement of a new Australian studio for Industrial Light and Magic, Disney’s famed visual effects and post-production company.”

Vice-president from Marvel Studios, David Grant said “Following the recently announced Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel Studios is pleased to announce our third tentpole feature to be produced in Australia and follows our highly positive experience from Thor: Ragnarok. Shooting Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Thor: Love and Thunder back-to-back will provide local crews with sustained, continuous employment opportunities. We will be working with local educational institutions in creating internship opportunities and would like to thank the Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher and the New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin for their invaluable support”

ENDS 

Media contacts: 

Minister Fletcher: Brad Hatch | 0448 162 679 | [email protected] 

Minister Harwin: Chris Lawrence | 0439 434 863 | [email protected] 

Background 

The Government announced support of an untitled Marvel Project (now confirmed as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) through the Location Incentive in April 2019. 

Made in NSW fund offers $55 million over the next four years to support the attraction of significant international screen projects and major local TV drama productions to NSW. 

The Australian Government’s Location Incentive increases the existing Location Offset rate from 16.5% to 30% for eligible large budget international productions that are successful through the application process, helping to attract foreign investment to Australian shores.