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Disney Studios Australia officially renames from Fox Studios; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes production begins


Fox Studios Australia has today officially renamed to Disney Studios Australia as 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes also begins production at the studios in Sydney under the direction of Wes Ball.

In a major boost to Australia’s screen sector, more than 400 local jobs will be supported by the latest blockbuster production attracted to Australia by the Federal Government’s Location Incentive.

Announced today at Disney Studios Australia in Sydney, 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will receive $17 million in support from the Australian Government, and funding through Screen NSW’s Made In NSW fund.

This production will inject more than $128 million into the Australian economy, utilising the services of more than 1,000 local businesses.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding was part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening employment and skills development opportunities for all Australian screen workers.
“I’m excited to welcome Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to Australia. This production will support jobs and give our leading digital and visual effects workers the opportunity to showcase their talents to global audiences,” Minister Burke said.

“Having a small part of the Disney universe right here in Australia is a significant boost to our local industry.
“Through our incentives, international production companies have the confidence to invest in Australia – to train our screen industry professionals, facilitate research and development in Australia, and encourage the building of more studios. This is essential for the growth of our entire screen industry and will provide a consistent career pathway for the next generation of Australian talent and filmmakers.”

NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, said: “The decision to film this blockbuster production Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in Sydney is a testament to the value of NSW Government support and the calibre of our globally competitive NSW screen industry. Secured through Screen NSW’s Made In NSW fund, this major international production will boost our economy and create more jobs and opportunities and enhance skills development for crews and cast.”

20th Century Studios president, Steve Asbell, said: “We’re thrilled to be in Sydney filming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at the world-class Disney Studios Australia. Planet of the Apes is one of the most iconic and storied science fiction franchises in film history and an indelible part of our studios’ legacy. The extraordinary director Wes Ball and the cast and crew are continuing the series tradition of imaginative, thought-provoking cinema. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with audiences in 2024.”

Kylie Watson-Wheeler, senior vice president and managing director of The Walt Company in Australia and New Zealand said: “As you can see behind us, The Walt Disney Studios and The Walt Disney Company Australia are pleased to announce that Fox Studios Australia is entering a new era as Disney Studios Australia. The renaming recognises the important place these studios have as part of Walt Disney Studios and The Walt Disney Company’s significant footprint here, in Australia.

“These expansive studios, consist of nine world-class sound stages with around 50 supporting businesses, including our very own Industrial Light and Magic team of visual effects artists, operating right here on the Lot. Since opening in May 1998, then part of 20th Century Fox and acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2019, the studios have operated as the largest integrated facility in the southern hemisphere. A truly world-class site for filming and post-production.”

To date, $412 million has been committed under the Australian Government’s Location Incentive, to attract 36 international productions to Australia. This will generate more than $3.09 billion in private investment, providing more than 22,200 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, and creating work for over 22,200 businesses that support these big productions.

Planet of the Apes is one of 20th Century Studios’ most popular and enduring franchises, amassing more than $1.7 billion worldwide. Based on a novel by Pierre Boulle, the first film in the series was released by Twentieth Century-Fox in 1968 and went on to become one of the year’s biggest hits, winning a special Academy Award and followed by four theatrical sequels and two television series. A remake, Planet of the Apes, directed by Tim Burton, was released in 2001, then a 2011 reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes was followed by two sequels, 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.

The film will star Owen Teague (It), Freya Allan (The Witcher), Peter Macon (The Orville), Eka Darville (Jessica Jones) and Kevin Durand (The Strain).

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