Academy Award-winner actor Russell Crowe heads back to Queensland next month for filming of the action thriller Bear Country.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said Bear Country would be shot in and around the Gold Coast.
Ms Feeney said the production would benefit from the skill and expertise of local screen practitioners as well as helping grow the industry’s next generation.
“We hear time and time again from Australian and international producers that Queensland’s crew base is second to none,” she said.
“It’s fantastic that we can welcome back a global star like Russell Crowe to experience all our screen production sector can offer while enjoying the best of our Queensland lifestyle.”
Ms Feeney said after filming Land of Bad in late 2022, Crowe was returning to the sunshine state to reunite with Unhinged director and co-writer Derrick Borte on Bear Country.
She said Bear Country would also provide crucial training opportunities for emerging crew through Screen Queensland’s Attachment Program which offered paid, on-set positions working under experienced industry veterans.
Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the production would employ around 95 people, while generating an estimated $11.9 million for the economy.
“Queensland’s international reputation as a production powerhouse (and) I’m confident the Gold Coast’s incredible natural environment will shine in Bear Country.”
Nickel City Pictures Producer and CEO Mark Fasano said the Gold Coast offered a combination of diverse locations, talented local crews and fantastic creatives.
Mr Fasano said Bear Country was adapted from the Thomas Perry novel Strip and sees Crowe play an ageing but formidable club owner, Manco Kapak.
“When Kapak is robbed by a masked gunman, his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his girlfriend appear more distant than ever.”
