Pacific Rim 2 to film scenes in Queensland

“My government has invested an extra AU$30m over for years into Screen Queensland,” said Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is both premier and arts minister for Queensland.

“These funds have been dedicated to attracting large-scale film and high-end television productions to Queensland to drive jobs, tourism and new spend into our economy.”

Palaszczuk cited Queensland’s strong relationship with Legendary Pictures as a central reason behind the decision to bring the production to Australia.

“I met with Legendary Pictures in Los Angeles last year and it is because of this relationship and their recent positive filming Kong: Skull Island that they are bringing more business to Queensland,” Palaszczuk said.

Kong: Skull Island is a 1970s-set story focussing on the origins of the King Kong character. Legendary Pictures spent AU$15m filming scenes for the movie in Queensland earlier this year.

Queensland has also recently hosted Marvel’s superhero sequel Thor: Ragnarok and Pirates of the Caribbean 5, and will reportedly host the Warner Bros./DC movie Aquaman.

Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is also scheduled to film scenes in China at the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis, a new studio facility that will not be officially opened until 2018.

Image: Kerry Hayes/Warner Bros.