Image: Bluefly’s Russell Crowe (in Highland Film Group’s Land of Bad), Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Michael Chiklis (credit Christian Witkin)
Screen Queensland has announced today that filming is underway on the Gold Coast for Nimród Antal’s sci-fi action thriller Bluefly, starring Russell Crowe, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Michael Chiklis.
Emmy award-winning Michael Chiklis (The Mongoose) joins Russell Crowe, who returns for his third Queensland-made film in recent years, following Highland Film Group and Broken Open Pictures’ previous Gold Coast collaboration, Land of Bad as well as his 2026 release The Get Out. Priyanka Chopra Jonas returns to the sunshine state after filming The Bluff in 2025.
Bluefly will shoot at Village Roadshow Studios and Gold Coast locations and follows a U.S. special ops unit deployed to recover a missing high-tech military aircraft from the Congo. Joining the covert mission is former pilot Benny (Russell Crowe) and UN interpreter Myla Reese (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), led by government operative John Broyles (Michael Chiklis). As the team pushes upriver deeper into militia-held territory, reality starts to fracture under the influence of a powerful force hidden deep within the jungle.
Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek said that Bluefly highlights the appeal of Queensland as a filmmaking destination for producers and talent alike.
“Through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, the Crisafulli Government is delivering a consistent pipeline of high-profile productions for the state, with projects benefitting from our renowned crew base, first-class facilities, versatile locations and enviable lifestyle.
“In return, Bluefly is contributing an estimated $7.3 million to the state’s economy through local expenditure with a range of businesses, including accommodation, transport, construction, logistics, catering and more, while also directly employing around 190 skilled crew and providing opportunities for early-career practitioners through Screen Queensland’s Attachment Program.”
Julie Eckersley, Screen Queensland’s Executive Director of Screen Content said that the agency is pleased to continue its growing partnership with Highland Film Group and Broken Open Pictures.
“Queensland has a strong track record for high-end action films, with our crews adept at stunt work, weapons handling, location shoots—including on water—and an array of technical expertise essential for such projects.
“To be a trusted partner for the producers and cast of Bluefly reflects Queensland’s enduring reputation as a production paradise for films and series of ambition and scale.”
Producer Deborah Glover, G2 Dispatch said that “Queensland continues to be a fantastic place to make films, with exceptional crews, diverse locations and world-class facilities. Bluefly is an ambitious production, and we’re fortunate to have the talent and expertise here to bring it to life.
“We’re grateful for the continued support of Screen Queensland and the Gold Coast in making projects like this possible.”
Bluefly is produced by Michael Jefferson for Polite Society, David Frigerio and RuthAnne Frigerio for Broken Open Pictures, Deborah Glover for G2 Dispatch, Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group, Vanessa Yao Guo and Petr Jákl. Bluefly is executive produced by Lia Buman, Guy Davies, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jason Kringstein, Katie Leary, Scott Levenson and James Norbury.
Highland Film Group is handling worldwide rights to Bluefly, continuing sales this month at the American Film Market in Los Angeles, CA.
The production is supported by the Australian Government through the Location Offset, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and Local Government through the Gold Coast Film Commission and Invest Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program.
Also filming in Queensland is UK series Feral, with locally made productions currently reaching global audiences including Allen, The Mosquito Bowl and Wonka’s The Golden Ticket. Forthcoming international releases include Who The Hell is Hamish?, followed in 2027 by season three of Black Snow, FING!, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, Dustfall and The Mark.
– ENDS –
Media contact
Amanda Lawson
Head of Marketing and Communications
media@screenqld.com.au | 07 3248 0500
