US Developer Lands Gold Coast Film Studio Role

A US-based studio developer and operator has been earmarked to deliver a major new film production facility on the Gold Coast. 

The City of Gold Coast Council has backed the decision to make Shadowbox Studios the preferred developer of the new screen production facility at Yatala.

Shadowbox has proposed the construction of 10 sound stages, workshops, office spaces, a backlot and training facilities, on the city-owned site in Yatala.

Negotiations will now begin between the council and studio developer over the city-owned 22ha lot at 396 Stanmore Road.

The deal will allow a development lease so Shadowbox Studios can develop the site, followed by a long-term operational lease.

▲ Shadowbox, formerly Blackhall Studios, attracted a $500-million private equity investor, Silver Lake, in 2022 to build its US studios.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Shadowbox has hosted film productions such as Godzilla: King of Monsters (2019), Venom (2018), Doctor Sleep and The Tomorrow War (2021).

Once the agreement is made, phase one will deliver six sound stages, the workshop and office spaces, as well as outdoor filming space, which is expected to be operational by 2028. 

The second phase may deliver additional sound stages and offices.

Queensland’s attempts to boost its local film industry have borne fruit in recent years, and was aided by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. 

The Queensland Government last year announced it was investing a further $28 million for the financial year to attract more large-scale productions, such as Thor: Ragnarok, Aquaman and Elvis, which have all filmed in Queensland.