MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
23 March 2021
Blockbuster movie Godzilla vs. Kong, a Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures release filmed in South-East Queensland, hits Australian and international cinemas this Thursday 25 March.
The highly-anticipated film, which also produced additional scenes in Hawaii and Hong Kong, broke internet records in February this year as Warners Bros’. most-watched trailer ever.
Shot at Village Roadshow Studios, and on location around the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Ipswich, the epic “clash of the titans” movie is the result of the work of over 1200 Queenslanders, including film crew, construction, cast, extras, and stunt performers.
The production was secured into the state by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said that in addition to creating jobs and attachment opportunities for emerging filmmakers, the film injected an estimated $36.5 million into the Queensland economy.
“This Thursday, Australian and global audiences can finally see the hard work of Queensland’s talented film workforce, and join in the fun of deciding whether they’re ‘Team Godzilla’ or ‘Team Kong’,” Ms Munnich said.
“Queensland was selected for the production due to our stellar reputation in the international screen industry for being home to fantastic facilities like Village Roadshow Studios, highly skilled local crew and a huge range of diverse locations.
“Congratulations to every Queenslander involved in bringing Godzilla vs. Kong to the big screen – the only way to experience this monster-sized movie.”
Gold Coast-based Lauren Cooper was the Australian Location Manager for the film, which used a variety of locations including jungle in the Tallebudgera Valley, Miami High School, Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Plant, The Roosevelt Lounge at Broadbeach, Chinatown Mall in Fortitude Valley, the ULTIQA Rothbury Hotel and Masonic Temple in Brisbane CBD, and the Workshop Rail Museum/Queensland Rail site in Ipswich.
“I’ve been given incredible opportunities to grow and further my career on major productions here at home and Godzilla vs. Kong is one in particular that I am very proud to be part of,” said Ms Cooper, who most recently worked on Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic on the Gold Coast and is currently engaged with Universal Pictures’ Ticket to Paradise to be filmed in the Whitsundays, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
“It was such a wonderful experience working on this film, surrounded by so many passionate Queensland filmmakers dedicated to their craft.”
Sunshine Coast-based filmmaker and Butchulla man Luke Barrowcliffe was a Camera Department Attachment on Godzilla vs. Kong, as part of Screen Queensland’s SQ Attach program, which offers paid placements for emerging-to-mid career practitioners.
“Being a Screen Queensland attachment on one of these mega productions immerses you in this whole other realm of big-budget film production, ” Mr Barrowcliffe said.
“To be a part of such a massive team effort and to stand next to the best in the business in a sound stage set, is a priceless privilege that you never forget; and that you get to relive when the movie is released.”
In this action-packed film directed by Adam Wingard and starring Alexandar Skarsgård (Big Little Lies), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and Rebecca Hall (Christine), legends collide as mythic adversaries Godzilla and King Kong meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
Godzilla vs. Kong will be screening across participating cinemas Australia-wide. Recent Warner Bros. productions filmed in Queensland include Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic, Kong: Skull Island, Aquaman and San Andreas. For more information about how the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland supports local and international production, visit www.screenqueensland.com.au
-ENDS-
Media contact: media@screenqld.com.au
ABOUT SCREEN QUEENSLAND Screen Queensland is a Queensland Government owned company that invests in talent and production to grow a creative, innovative and successful screen industry with a focus on stories and audience, secures production and post, digital and vfx to Queensland, and delivers an active screen culture through festivals and events funding across the state. Screen Queensland invests in stories and talent through a range of mechanisms including development, production investment, initiatives, SQhub and mentorships. Screen Queensland is deeply committed to increasing diversity in the screen industry to reflect the Australian community. For more information visit screenqld.com.au
The Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Incentive works in tandem with the Federal Government’s Location Incentive to attract large budget international production to Australia.
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures
