Family adventure film Nim's Island 2, starring Bindi Irwin, has begun shooting on the Gold Coast.
The film also stars US actor Matthew Lillard (The Descendants, Scooby Doo), who plays marine scientist Jack, the father of Nim (Bindi Irwin), as well as local actors John Waters (Looking Through the Glass Onion, Offspring), Toby Wallace (Surviving Georgia, Neighbours), Nathan Derrick (Rush, Bed of Roses), Sebastian Gregory (Neighbours, Accidents Happen) and Jack Pearson (Winners & Losers).
The original Nim's Island grossed $US48 million in North America and almost $6.2 million at the Australian box office. While it was shot in Queensland, it did not qualify as an Australian production, unlike the sequel which is now underway.
Nim's Island was a far bigger production, starring Jodi Foster, and was distributed by Universal. The sequel will be distributed in Australia by Pinnacle Films, which has specialised in limited theatrical releases, while international distribution is being handled by Walden Entertainment.
Nim's Island 2 is being directed by Brendan Maher (Sisters Of War, Spartacus), produced by Chris Brown (Daybreakers, The Proposition), Paula Mazur (Nim’s Island, Corrina Corrina) and Tom Hoffie (Unfinished Sky, Blurred). The film has been written by Cathy Randall (Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger) and Ray Boseley (Round The Twist).
Producer Paula Mazur said: “Nim's Island 2 follows our hero Nim into another great action-adventure story that will appeal to cinemagoers of all ages, set in one of the world’s most beautiful locations.”
Nim's Island 2 is being produced in Queensland at Village Roadshow Studios. The shoot wraps in late-August.
Author Wendy Orr said: “Seeing my book come to life with the first Nim’s Island film was one of the most thrilling and emotional events of my life. Now I’ve just returned from the set of Nim's Island 2 feeling extraordinarily lucky to have had my book Nim at Sea spark the process again, this time with a great Australian cast and crew – and my animal-loving island girl perfectly embodied by Bindi Irwin.”
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.