Apple TV is set to shoot a big-budget remake of the iconic sci-fi movie Metropolis in Melbourne – with a plan to inject $400m into the local economy
Apple TV+ is set to shoot an epic 8-part series based on Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis (19 in Melbourne, Victoria.
Directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, the big-budget production will take place at Docklands Studios and is expected to inject $416 million into the local economy over several years.
The Universal Studio Group-produced project received $83.8 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Local Incentives Program, along with a further $41.6 million from the Victorian Screen Incentive Fund.
Remake: Apple TV+ is set to shoot an epic 8-part series inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis (19 in Melbourne, Victoria. It will be directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail (right) Pictured with his wife, actress Emmy Rossum
Metropolis is considered one of the most influential films of all time and was one of the first science fiction feature films ever made.
The highly stylized silent film was made in Germany and tells the story of a futuristic urban dystopia with a massive class divide.
Its protagonist, a privileged young man named Freder, discovers the dark underbelly of society and is intent on befriending and helping lower-class workers.
Iconic: The highly stylized silent film was made in Germany and tells the story of a futuristic urban dystopia with a massive class divide. Pictured is a movie poster for Metropolis (1927)
This puts Freder at odds with his father Joh, who happens to be the overbearing master of the town.
Esmail’s remake will use a new state-of-the-art “virtual production studio” that will feature one of the largest volumes of LEDs in the world.
An LED volume is an enclosed space where actors can be filmed in real-time virtual environments, reducing the need for intensive post-production.
Classic: Its protagonist, a privileged young man named Freder, discovers the dark underbelly of society and intends to befriend and help lower-class workers. Pictured is a scene from Metropolis (1927)
Tension: This puts Freder at odds with his father Joh, who happens to be the overbearing master of the town. Pictured is a scene from Metropolis (1927)
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Metropolis” is poised to be one of the most technically ambitious screen productions in the world, and the state-of-the-art infrastructure being built here , along with our exceptional team and venues, truly places Melbourne among the world’s great film production cities.
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher also said of the project: “I am delighted to welcome these productions to Australia, creating over 2,100 jobs for local cast and crew, over 7,200 additional roles and utilizing approximately 2,100 businesses across the country, supporting our continued national prosperity and further strengthening our creative and cultural sectors.
Details regarding the plot, cast, and release date have yet to be made public.
Big budget: Esmail’s remake will use a new state-of-the-art “virtual production studio” that will feature one of the largest volumes of LEDs in the world
