UPDATE (Feb 9, 2012): Filming was ultimately delayed and the film remains in development. For the latest news read Tomorrow, When the War Began sequel remains in development.
Filming for the highly-anticipated Tomorrow, When The War Began sequel will start in September.
With a working title of Tomorrow 2, the film will be produced, edited and finished entirely Down Under.
The majority of the shoot will take place in New South Wales' Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains.
The original – which was last year's biggest Australian movie at the local box office taking in $13.5 million – has not landed a US distribution deal.
The sequel, which will also be written and directed by Stuart Beattie, is expected to generate more than 450 jobs and inject about $40 million into the State's economy.
More than 300 cast and crew during principal photography, hundreds of extras and an estimated 150 post production and VFX crew will be employed.
The announcement, made today, is on the back of news that Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby will be filmed in Sydney later this year.
“Tomorrow 2 will unlock a range of job opportunities – from camera operators, editors and up-and-coming young actors, to caterers, transport companies and local accommodation houses,” NSW premier Kristina Keneally said.
The NSW government secured the production through financial support from the state’s film fund.
Omnilab Media's managing director Christopher Mapp, who will also produce the sequel, said without government support, many of these jobs would be exported overseas.
“This investment allows us to keep these jobs in Australia, contribute to the local economy and helps grow and secure the future of NSW’s film industry,” Mapp said in a statement.
“In particular, support for this project has also contributed to our decision to further invest in our world-class VFX and post-production businesses, which will ensure that NSW film and television practitioners have access to the very best creative services in Australia.”