The Gold Coast will become a pirate's paradise as filming begins on The Bluff, from Amazon MGM Studios and Academy Award-winning independent studio AGBO (Everything Everywhere All At Once).
Set in the 19th century Caribbean, the feature film stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban, with Ismael Cruz Cordova, Safia Oakley-Green and Vedanten Naidoo, and follows a former female pirate who must protect her family when the mysterious sins of her past catch up to her.
The film was secured through the Queensland Government's Production Attraction Strategy by Screen Queensland and will see sunshine state locations doubling for the Cayman Islands. The production will also utilise Village Roadshow Studios' facilities including water tanks, which are the largest in Australia.
Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government is proud to continue its investment in Queensland's local screen industry and to growing the state's reputation as a global screen production hub.
"Securing The Bluff from Amazon MGM Studios and AGBO in Queensland reinforces our commitment to building long-term screen careers in the state, where locally based creatives can work on high-profile films and series of scale and also turn their remarkable talents to telling Queensland's own screen stories.
"Production of The Bluff in Queensland will contribute an estimated $42.3 million to the local economy through production expenditure, create jobs for about 600 talented Queensland screen practitioners and will showcase Queensland's stunning locations and extraordinary crew and creatives," Minister Enoch said.
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said that The Bluff will benefit from Queensland's highly skilled crews and creatives.
"Our state's screen practitioners are rightly in demand by the world's leading filmmakers, and their talents will be put to incredible use on The Bluff," she said.
"Our local practitioners' vast experience in water work, stunts, design and costumes will shine on The Bluff. We are also pleased to be collaborating with acclaimed independent studio AGBO on our Attachment Program, ensuring our industry's next generation has the opportunity to work on a film of this scale and ambition."
Angela Russo-Otstot, Producer/Chief Creative Officer at AGBO said "the breathtaking landscapes and world-class facilities of Queensland provide an unparalleled backdrop for storytelling.
"We are thrilled to bring The Bluff here, collaborating with the immensely talented local crews and creatives who make this region a true cinematic hub."
Frank E. Flowers is directing The Bluff from a script he wrote alongside Joe Ballarini. Producers include AGBO's Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Michael Disco; Cinestar Pictures' Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana; and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Executive producers include AGBO's Chris Castaldi, Ari Costa, and Kassee Whiting; Cinestar Pictures' Zoe Saldaña; Rocket Science's Thorsten Schumacher; Joe Ballarini; and Frank E. Flowers. Sarah Finn, AGBO's longtime collaborator for casting direction, is also executive producing.
