(L-R) NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin, Chris Hemsworth and Federal Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher.
The next instalment in Marvel’s Thor franchise, Thor: Love and Thunder, helmed by Taika Waititi and set to star Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson, will be filmed at Sydney’s Fox Studios.
It is one of two Disney/Marvel films due for the city, with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings also shooting at Fox.
Thor: Love and Thunder was officially announced by Marvel at last weekend’s Comic-Con in Las Vegas. Portman – who played Jane Foster in the first two Thor movies – will become the female Thor, and posed on stage with Thor’s hammer.
Need some #MondayMotivation? Relive the excitement of the @MarvelStudios panel at #SDCC with our recap (including news that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor ⚡️): https://t.co/snQ8JJzYOG pic.twitter.com/luxrqJLrpT
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) July 22, 2019
The Federal Government lured the film here with a $24.1 million Location Incentive grant, and the NSW government has also supported the project via the Made in NSW fund. It is the sixth international production to be brought to Australia under the government’s $140 million Location Incentive Program, which began in July 2018.
The franchise’s previous instalment, Thor: Ragnarok, also directed by Waititi, shot in Queensland in 2016.
Pre-production will begin on Love and Thunder in March 2020, with filming due to begin in August. It is expected to generate $178 million for the economy, create 2,500 jobs and utilise the support of 1,650 businesses.
In exciting news for emerging practitioners, Marvel Studios will offer a trainee program to students at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) and other tertiary institutions.
Speaking at AFTRS, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said the announcement solidifies Australia as a world-class filming and post-production destination.
“Australia has an ongoing relationship with Marvel Studios and I’m very pleased they will return to our shores again next year to take advantage of our world-leading screen industry for the next instalment of the Thor franchise.”
NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said: “NSW is the complete package, offering a spectacular location and skilled technicians that can support the requirements of a major blockbuster film,” said Minister Don Harwin.
“This announcement means Marvel Studios will be producing films in Sydney for the next few years and follows the recent announcement of a new Australian studio for Industrial Light and Magic, Disney’s famed visual effects and post-production company.”
Marvel Studios vice-president David Grant said: “Following the recently announced Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel Studios is pleased to announce our third tentpole feature to be produced in Australia and follows our highly positive experience from Thor: Ragnarok. Shooting Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Thor: Love and Thunder back-to-back will provide local crews with sustained, continuous employment opportunities. We will be working with local educational institutions in creating internship opportunities and would like to thank the Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher and the New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin for their invaluable support.”
Thor: Love and Thunder has been dated for release by Disney on November 5, 2021.