Metropolis, a large-budget TV adaptation, coming from Fritz Lang’s famous 1927 sci-fi masterpiece, is under Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail and is set to produce in Australia for AppleTV+.
The film will utilize one of the world’s largest ‘virtual production’ infrastructures and is estimated to create around 4,000 jobs in the state of Victoria, where filming will take place.
Esmail, who was behind USA Network’s Mr Robot and Amazon’s Homecoming, is writing, directing, and showrunning the eight-part drama for NBCUniversal’s Universal Studio Group. Matchbox Pictures, an Australian production company owned by NBCU, will conduct on-the-ground production.
The film Metropolis is established in an urban dystopia of the future and focuses on Freder, the city master’s rich son, together with Maria, a holy figure to the workers, as they attempt to bridge the vast chasm that exists between the classes in their city and bring the workers together with Joh Fredersen, the city master.
Through its Victorian Screen Incentive award, Australia’s VicScreen lured Metropolis to the state. It is intended to be the first of numerous NBCU projects in the region, with a total investment of A$416 million ($310 million).
The Victorian government is helping to fund the construction of cutting-edge virtual production infrastructure, including one of the world’s largest permanent ‘LED volumes’ (high-tech digital screens that display background environments and visual effects onset). The technology was put to use.
Danny Pearson, the Minister for Creative Industries, puts his expectation with this industry-leading infrastructure, hoping it will put Victoria at the forefront of the worldwide screen industry. He also mentioned that Victoria will become the go-to location for big film projects with the addition of their new super sound stage.
Victoria’s recent projects include Netflix’s Clickbait and NBC’s La Brea, and the Robbie Williams biography Better Man, starring Paul Mescal and Saorise Ronan, has concluded filming.
