Written by Shona Smith on May 17, 2019. Posted in Production News

South Australia to host filming for Mortal Kombat

Adelaide Studios will provide production facilities for the action film. Based on the popular video published by Warner Bros. the film will also be helmed by their New Line Cinema studio.  

Set in a mythical multiverse where 'mortal kombat' takes place between numerous, the epic action adventure game has built a loyal fan base over its twenty-five year existence. However, a movie has not been released since 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.

Australia’s James Wan (Aquaman, Saw) will be producing the film, while award-winning commercial filmmaker Simon McQuoid will direct. Pre-production in due to commence in late April, with principal production starting later in 2019.

South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall made the announcement at Adelaide Studios, and highlighted the fact that an estimated 580 jobs will be created and 1,500 extras employed on the project. Expected to inject AUD 70 million into the South Australian economy soundstages at Adelaide Studio will be called upon, and post-production is also lined up to take place in South Australia.

Marshall commented “Mortal Kombat will be the largest film production in South Australia’s history and highlights the importance of engaging with the world’s major production houses” adding that “the State Government’s investment in Mortal Kombat will enhance the scope and reach of our production and post production capabilities”.

Both South Australia’s infrastructure, skilled crews and range of landscapes were touted as reasons executives chose to base the film in South Australia. Director Simon McQuaid noted that “having lived in Adelaide early in my career, I am thrilled to be back in South Australia to make my directorial debut with Mortal Kombat. We need many different elements for its success and have found them all right here – the uniquely beautiful landscapes, the outstanding world-class stage facilities and VFX houses, and the brilliant artists and technicians from across the film-making community”.

Producer James Wan explained “I’m really happy and excited to be bringing another show back to Australia with Mortal Kombat, especially after having such a great experience filming Aquaman”. Production on Warner Bros. Aquaman, which Wan directed, was based at Village Roadshow Studios, Queensland, Australia. Wan continued “now we get to experience South Australia with its scenic locations and a wealth of artistic talent to work with. It will be perfectly suited for this fantasy-action project”.

In recent news, six-part limited series Stateless, to be distributed by NBCUniversal will begin shooting at Adelaide Studios in June. The series tells the story of four people caught up in an immigration system who meet in an immigration detention centre in the Australian desert. Cate Blanchett and Dominic West are part of the all-star cast.

Elsewhere in Australia, Baz Luhrman’s Elvis biopic will be based at Queensland’s Village Roadshow Studios.

South Australia has three incentives for international projects. The Screen Production Investment is a non-refundable grant contributing up to 10% of the total South Australian expenditure. supports drama and documentary screen content that have significant economic benefits to the South Australian screen sector. While it priorities projects from South Australian producers or co-producers, applications from non-South Australian producers are considered if it has strong South Australian attachments in place such as writers or directors, a significant South Australian expenditure or employment or is working with a South Australian producer. The Post-production, Digital and Visual Effects incentives provides up to 10% of this type of work undertaken in South Australia. Lastly, there is a 4.95% payroll tax exemption .

Additionally, international productions can qualify for the federal 16.5% tax rebate on qualifying Australian expenditure,  a 30% post, digital and visual effects offset.

Images: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment