Action thriller Land Of Bad is adding Luke Hemsworth (Westworld), Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Ricky Whittle (American Gods) Daniel MacPherson (Poker Face, Foundation) and Chika Ikogwe (Heartbreak High) to the cast following announcements back in April. Will Eubank (Underwater, The Signal) will direct the film from a script he co-wrote with David Frigerio (The Signal) as cameras roll on the Gold Coast and South East Queensland starting this month.
In Land Of Bad, when a Delta Force spec ops mission in the Philippines goes terribly wrong, Air Force drone pilot Reaper (Crowe), has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. The Tier-One team, led by Cpt. Sugar (Ventimigila) and Sgt. Abel (Luke Hemsworth) is re-deployed to return and retrieve their captured man and the asset, joined by Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), a green Air Force JTAC officer, who is thrust into the middle of a high-stakes extraction. But the ground mission suddenly turns upside down and becomes a full-scale battle when the team is discovered by the enemy. With no weapons and no communication other than the drone above, Reaper becomes the young operator’s only ticket out of The Land of Bad.
Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield and Tracey Vieira are executive producing via Aussie-based Hoodlum Entertainment.
More than 270 jobs for local cast, crew and extras are being created through the country’s Location Incentive, as part of the government’s commitment to strengthening employment and development opportunities for Australia’s screen sector. Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, describes it as “the opportunity to capitalise on its highly sought-after expertise, and to maintain its reputation as a global leader on the international stage.”
“Land of Bad is good news for the Australian screen sector – and I’m excited to welcome this production to our shores. “Every film we attract to Australia provides local workers with the opportunity to showcase their skills to the rest of the world. It also showcases amazing Australian landscapes to an international audience,” Minister Burke said.
“Working with such a superb ensemble cast led by Russell and Liam is a dream come true. They are both incredible performers who showcase the powerful sense of brotherhood between the two lead characters,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.
“The Australian Government is a huge supporter of Land of Bad and we are especially happy to be in production down under,” added Highland COO Delphine Perrier.
“Queensland continues to shine off and on screen, which is why producers are returning to our state and local production companies are gaining global reputations,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“Led locally by Brisbane’s Hoodlum Entertainment who will executive produce Land of Bad will enjoy first-class expertise from a Queensland crew and deliver an estimated $7.7 million into the state’s economy.
“I’m proud we’ve secured this production through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy which is providing a pipeline of projects, boosting the economy and creating good local jobs.”
To date, $394 million has been committed under the Location Incentive, to attract 35 international productions to Australia. The figure aims to generate more than $2.96 billion in private investment, providing more than 21,800 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, and creating work for over 21,200 businesses that support these big productions.
