Register

    “Thor” and “Alien” movies to be shot in Australia next year

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments640 Views
    In this Dec. 4, 2014, file photo, director Ridley Scott poses for photographers during the premiere of the film "Exodus" in Madrid. (AP Photo/Abraham Caro Marin, File)

    By Rod McGurk

    CANBERRA, Australia (AP) --

    The latest movies in the "Thor" and "Alien" franchises will begin filming in Australia next year, the government said Thursday.

    The government gave Twentieth Century Fox as well as Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios a total of 47.25 million Australian dollars ($34 million) to woo them to Australia to make the feature films, Arts Minister Mitch Fifield said.

    Ridley Scott will direct the unnamed Alien movie for Fox and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth will reprise his starring role as the superhero in the third instalment of the "Thor" series for Disney and Marvel, "Thor: Ragnarok."

    While locations have not been announced, Disney recently finished shooting "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" at Gold Coast studios in Queensland state and Fox has studios in Sydney.

    Foreign Minister Julie Bishop defended the government spending to secure the movies, saying Australia was competing against other countries to attract movie makers.

    She said her government had wanted the Scott-directed Fox hit film "The Martian" shot in Australia instead of Hungary.

    Mary Ann Hughes, Disney Vice President of Film and Television, described shooting of the fifth instalment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise as a "wonderful experience."

    Shooting had several setbacks and controversies. Star Johnny Depp's wife, Amber Heard, was charged with illegally bringing the couple's dogs into Australia against quarantine regulations. She could face up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines if convicted.

    Hughes joked at a news conference that: "Since our lovely Chris Hemsworth lives in Australia, I suspect we won't have any issues with pets."

    Hemsworth said in a video from Los Angeles that he was looking forward to working again in his home country.

    "I look forward to introducing my Marvel friends to this beautiful country of ours," he said.

    Tags:AlienThor



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

    MySHOOT Profiles


    Add A Comment