ausfilm

The Hon Andrew Stoner MP
Acting Premier of NSW
Minister for Trade and Investment
Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services

Press Release

Acting NSW Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner today announced that the multimillion dollar film Paradise Lost will be produced in Sydney.

Mr Stoner made the announcement at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, alongside the film’s director Alex Proyas.

Paradise Lost will bring an estimated $88 million in production expenditure and an estimated 1,300 jobs to NSW, including over $20 million expenditure and 200 jobs in the visual effects area. The film involves more than 20 weeks of pre-production, eight weeks of principal photography and motion capture, and 72 weeks of post-production and visual effects work.

Mr Stoner said securing the production of Paradise Lost, a fantasy epic based on the John Milton poem, strengthens Sydney’s reputation as a global visual effects and filmmaking hub.

“I am delighted to announce the visionary Australian director Alex Proyas, who has directed films including I, Robot and Knowing, will bring his next film to Sydney,” Mr Stoner said.

“With fierce competition from rival locations in the United States and Canada, there is no doubt securing Paradise Lost is a major win for the NSW film industry.

“When in Los Angeles recently, I met the team at Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, and encouraged them to produce Paradise Lost in Sydney.

“The NSW Government was determined to secure the production of Paradise Lost for the NSW film industry.

“To filmmakers and producers around the world I say, NSW is open for business once more – we are determined to make NSW Number One Again.

“Paradise Lost will see the next generation of post-Avatar motion capture work undertaken right here in Sydney.”

The film is produced by Proyas, Legendary Pictures and Vincent Newman. Legendary’s long-time partner Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. The film will star Bradley Cooper as Lucifer and is targeted for a late 2013 release.

“The NSW Government has also secured a commitment from Digital Domain, a California-based digital production and visual effects company, to establish a base in Sydney that will continue beyond the production of Paradise Lost,” Mr Stoner said.

“The latest Federal Budget doubled incentives for visual effects films to be produced in Australia – the NSW Government has ensured subsequent growth in this sector comes to Sydney.

“The production of Paradise Lost and Digital Domain’s local presence will expose NSW visual effects and film professionals to unique and cutting edge film technologies and methods as well as to work on US studio-financed film projects.”

Past films directed by Alex Proyas include Knowing (2009), I, Robot (2004), Dark City (1998), and The Crow (1994).

Mr Proyas said “I’m delighted to have found such overwhelming support here in NSW for such a unique film offering unparalleled exposure for NSW cast and crew to the cutting edge technology that will be used in the making of Paradise Lost.”

Legendary Pictures recently wrote to Mr Stoner to say they appreciate the support of the NSW Government. The final agreement will be negotiated between Triune Productions Pty. Ltd. and the Department of Trade and Investment.