Fury Road - latest Mad Max blockbuster comes to NSW

24 October 2009

Premier Nathan Rees announced today that NSW had secured production of Fury Road, a Mad Max film, giving a massive boost to the local film industry and the economy.

“The Mad Max films are iconic and the latest instalment - Fury Road will be made right here in NSW,” said Mr Rees.

“In the hands of director George Miller, we will see one of the largest and most ambitious live action films ever made in Australia.

“This is a clear vote of confidence in Australian expertise. This proves that Sydney is an international contender for major film production.

“Filming will take place over the next two and a half years and create around 540 jobs.

“Times have been tough for our local industry and I am pleased that our assistance from the Film and Television Industry Attraction Fund helped secure this film for
NSW.

“Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM) will start pre-production immediately and filming is scheduled for 2010.

“CarriageWorks commercial bays in Redfern will be used as a base for its motion capture studio for Happy Feet 2 and development work for Fury Road.

“Up to 30 weeks of filming will also take place in and around Broken Hill.

Warner Bros has financed the Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM) production and will be the worldwide distributor for the film.

George Miller is currently directing Happy Feet 2 and says the two films are good for Sydney’s reputation as a base for sustained film production.

“Hollywood has cut its production in half. Big movies like Fury Road and Happy Feet are rare and competitively sought after in all the filmmaking regions of the world,” said Mr Miller.

“The production agreements have been a long time in the making and Premier Rees and his team have worked like Trojans to ensure this substantial investment comes
into this country.

“These are complex and challenging films and funding them is a big leap of faith by Warner Bros.

“Not only does it help fuel the local economy but it means many talented people get a chance to practise their craft and lift their skills.

“Making movies is like football. How can you achieve excellence if you get to play only once in a blue moon?” said Mr Miller.

Ian Macdonald, NSW Minister for State Development said that Fury Road would be a unique production bringing multiple benefits to the film and other industries.

“With film and production work occurring not just here, but in the Far West, the economic benefits that Fury Road will bring with it will be felt right across the State,” said Mr Macdonald.

“With over 500 jobs associated with the film, securing its production here in NSW represents a huge boon for the state.”

The first Mad Max movie (1979) was filmed in Victoria with Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) filmed mainly in and around Broken Hill. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) was shot in Coober Pedy in South Australia and in NSW.

Fury Road builds on recent wins including Tomorrow When the War Began, Underbelly III, Happy Feet 2 and Guardians of Ga’hoole which are all currently in production in New South Wales.