Here’s an interesting tidbit:
The next three Avatar films will be made in New Zealand, the Prime Minister has announced at a press conference with the film’s director James Cameron.
Mr Key announced this morning that the Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the film’s makers to secure the multi-film deal.
He said investment would be “significant” – a minimum of $500 million for the three films.
The announcement is good timing for the Government, after calls from the film industry for further work after the end of the Hobbit films.
It appears the kiwi’s subsidised their way to success on this one. From Bloomie:
Govt to boost screen production incentives for overseas and NZ productions
- Govt to raise baseline rebate to 20% from 15%
- Productions to get points for specific benefits to NZ, which may entitle some to an extra 5% rebate
- Provided new Avatar films fulfil the requirements set out in MoU, they will qualify for total rebate of 25%
If only they had enormous deposits of Chinese unobtainium, none of this would necessary. I look forward to the “visit Pandora” tourism campaign.
