Written by Joe Jackson on Mar 21, 2022. Posted in Production News

Godzilla vs Kong sequel set to bring AUD79.2 million and 500 jobs to Queensland

Another blockbuster from the MonsterVerse franchise has been drawn to Australia. Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros' sequel to Godzilla Vs Kong is set to receive AUD16 million from the government's Location Incentive Programme alongside AUD6.3 million through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. It is anticipated that the incoming production will inject approximately AUD79.2 million into the region, employing more than 500 cast and crew members as well as over 750 extras.

“The sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong will boost local businesses in and around the Gold Coast and South East Queensland, provide valuable training opportunities for our up-and-coming industry talent, and showcase Australia’s vibrant and versatile landscapes,” details Paul Fletcher MP, the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.

“This marks the 15^th production drawn to Queensland under the Location Incentive, attracting more than AUD136 million in funding from the Federal Government and a generating a total expenditure of AUD1.02 billion. This investment has created more than 6,800 jobs for Aussie cast and crew, and provided support for 6,600 businesses throughout the sunshine state.”

“We are thrilled to see Legendary Pictures return to our state,” says Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich. “It is Screen Queensland’s role to support our strong local screen sector and provide career opportunities for homegrown talent by securing local, interstate and international productions. The latest instalment adds to an exciting slate of productions currently filming in Queensland, including highly anticipated Disney+ series Nautilus and season two of Tim Minchin’s Foxtel Series Upright.”

“It’s clear our highly-skilled local crew, diverse locations and first-rate facilities was a definite draw card for them to come back again,” states Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk, welcoming Legendary Pictures back to the state following the filming of Kong Skull Island in 2016 and Godzilla vs. Kong in 2019.

“The production will inject more than double the AUD36.5 million that Godzilla vs. Kong brought to the state and is a welcome boost to our economy as we recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and south-east Queensland flooding events. These types of productions benefit our screen industry, deliver local jobs and provide a welcome boost to our small businesses and communities in and around our production sites.”

To date, Queensland's government has distributed more than AUD289 million under the Location Incentive scheme. In attracting 29 international productions to Australia, the programme has generated over AUD2.2 billion in private investment. This roughly correlates to more than 18,300 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, creating work for over 17,400 businesses that support these big productions.

“The highly-skilled crews, first-rate facilities, and unique locations make filming in Australia a great experience," adds film producer Eric McLeod, who is returning to Australia for the third time with the MonsterVerse franchise. "The support from both the federal government as well as Queensland has always been critical to our success in achieving a high level of filmmaking and an unparalleled audience experience."