Production has begun on the Gold Coast for the live-action adaptation of “Gundam,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo.
The Legendary Pictures project marks the latest major international shoot to land in Queensland, following the studio’s recent work on “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova” and the second season of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” It continues a long-running relationship between Legendary and the state, which has increasingly positioned itself as a global production
Sweeney and Centineo lead an expansive ensemble cast that includes “Heartbreak High” star Gemma Chua-Tran, Jackson White (“Tell Me Lies”), Shioli Kutsuna (“Deadpool & Wolverine”), Nonso Anozie (Sweet Tooth”), Michael Mando (“Better Call Saul”), Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton (“Under the Bridge”), Oleksandr Rudynskyi (“The Agency”), Ida Brooke (“Dune: Part Three”) and Jason Isaacs (“The White Lotus,” “Harry Potter,” “The Death of Stalin”).
Based on the iconic Japanese franchise, “Gundam” has spent more than 47 years as a defining force in the mech genre, spawning a vast multimedia universe and global fanbase. The live-action feature reimagines the property as an original story set amid a war between Earth and its former space colonies.
The film follows two rival mech pilots, played by Sweeney and Centineo, who are forced into an uneasy alliance as they race across the stars to protect humanity’s future. The project is billed as combining large-scale action with a more intimate, character-driven narrative.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government’s continued investment in Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy is delivering tangible results for the state.
“We know that our production incentive ensures that Queensland remains globally competitive, with a strong pipeline of major projects delivering ongoing employment and expenditure for local communities,” he said.
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“During filming at Village Roadshow Studios, ‘Gundam’ will inject an estimated $110 million directly into Queensland’s economy by employing more than 350 local cast and crew and engaging a supply chain of small businesses across a range of connected industries.
“Over the last 10 years, Legendary has consistently turned to Queensland for their ambitious projects, with titles including ‘Pacific Rim Uprising,’ ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ and four ‘Monsterverse’ features collectively contributing more than $328 million to the local economy, in addition to ‘Gundam.’”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said the production highlights the importance of sustained partnerships with major studios. “Legendary’s continued trust in Queensland to create exceptional world-building environments is a testament to our experienced crews, first-class studios, versatile locations and competitive incentives supported by all levels of government,” she said.
“Projects of scale across the ‘Monsterverse’ and now ‘Gundam’ also provide invaluable career pathways through our attachment program to expand Queensland’s crew base, with emerging screen practitioners having the chance to hone their skills on set, guided by our highly experienced local industry veterans.”
Herb Gains, EVP Physical Production at Legendary, added: “Queensland has become an important production centre for Legendary for the past 10 years. The crews, facilities, as well as the government support have proven to be great partners and problem solvers for our ‘Monsterverse’ films. The friendships that have developed with the community have made Queensland a second home and we look forward to expanding the relationship with ‘Gundam.’”
Written and directed by Jim Mickle (“Sweet Tooth,” “Cold in July”), “Gundam” is produced by Legendary Pictures and Netflix in partnership with Bandai Namco Filmworks. The film is supported by the Australian Government through the Location Offset, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and the City of Gold Coast through its Screen Attraction Program.