US-Australia film Wizards! set to shoot in Queensland

The US-Australia comedy, Wizards!, starring Pete Davidson and Sean Harris, is set to shoot in Queensland, Australia.

On a state level, the production has been secured by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. This is in addition to the Federal Government Location Incentive attracting the project into Australia. 

Wizards! follows the comedic exploits of two hapless beach-bar operators (Davidson and Franz Rogowski) who encounter trouble when they stumble across stolen loot. Naomi Scott (Aladdin 2019) and Harris (Mission: Impossible - Fallout) will co-star in the film.

The screenplay is written by David Michôd (Animal Kingdom, The King) and based on a story by Michôd and Joel Edgerton (The Gift, Boy Erased, The King).

It is produced by Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner of Brad Pitt’s company Plan B Entertainment (World War Z, Moonlight, The big Short), Liz Watts of Sydney-based See-Saw Films and A24 who will also handle global distribution.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the production will create job opportunities for Queensland locals and generate significant economic benefits for the state.

“What a coup for Queensland,” said the premier in a statement. “Once again, our local film industry and picture-perfect locations have lured another valuable production with big budgets to spend in our regions.

“Wizards! will inject approximately $14.7m into our state economy and create around 100 jobs for Queensland cast and crew, as well as nearly 300 opportunities for extras — which I’m sure will be great news for local industry practitioners and the community alike. 

“This announcement arrives ahead of next month’s global releases; Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and Netflix’s Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth, which both filmed in Queensland on the Gold Coast.”

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich added securing Wizards! demonstrates that producers from around the world know that filming in Queensland brings many benefits.

“Queensland is a globally renowned screen production hub. Screen Queensland is continuously pitching our state’s locations, studios, skilled screen workforce and valuable incentives,” said Munnich.

“Screen Queensland is delighted to welcome Plan B Entertainment to Queensland for the first time, and we are glad to see the return of See-Saw Films since they filmed their 2020 Foxtel/Sky series The End on the Gold Coast.”

Co-producer Watts said Queensland is fitting for the upcoming comedy.

“We are thrilled to be bringing [Michôd’s] next feature to Queensland with its wealth of talent in its cast and crews, and enviable locations”, said Watts.