Yahoo Lifestyle Russell Crowe Thriller ‘Bear Country’ To Begin Filming In Queensland In February With Australian State Doubling For L.A.
Action thriller Bear Country, starring Oscar-winner Russell Crowe, will begin filming in the Australian state of Queensland in February, local government film agency Screen Queensland has announced.
The movie is adapted from the Thomas Perry novel Strip by director Derrick Borte and Daniel Forte, co-writers on American Dreamer, about ageing but formidable L.A. club owner Manco Kapak, who is set to be played by Crowe.
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When Kapak is robbed by a masked gunman, his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his girlfriend appear more distant than ever.
The movie sees Crowe return to Queensland where he previously worked on the shoot of action thriller Land of Bad in late 2022, co-starring alongside Liam Hemsworth.
Crowe and Bear Country director and co-writer Borte previously collaborated on Covid pandemic-era release Unhinged.
Arts Minister and Queensland Legislative Assembly Member for the Gold Coast Beach resort of Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said the local government’s Production Attraction Strategy had played an important role in securing the choice of Queensland.
“The recent boost in productions opens the door for Queenslanders wanting to build a career in the screen sector, with Bear Country employing around 95 people, while generating an estimated $11.9 million for the economy,” he said.
“I’m confident the Gold Coast’s incredible natural environment will shine in Bear Country when it conveniently doubles as Los Angeles.”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said that Bear Country would benefit from the skill and expertise of the local crew as well as help grow the industry’s next generation.
“It’s fantastic that we can welcome back a global star like Russell Crowe to experience all our screen production sector can offer while enjoying the best of our Queensland lifestyle.
“Bear Country will also provide crucial training opportunities for emerging crew through our Attachment Program which offers paid, on-set positions working under experienced industry veterans.”
Bear Country is produced by Mark Fasano (Marlowe) of Nickel City Pictures; Jeffrey Greenstein (The Hitman’s Bodyguard) of A Higher Standard; Deborah Glover (Sleeping Dogs) of G2 Dispatch; and Mark Bower and Bruno Mustic of Life & Soul Pictures.
The production is supported by the City of Gold Coast and by the Australian Government through the Location Offset.
“Queensland’s Gold Coast offers an unbeatable combination of diverse locations, talented local crews and fantastic creatives. This, combined with the great support from Screen Queensland is why I’m excited to be back in Queensland to shoot Bear Country,” said Nickel City Pictures CEO Fasano.
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