Premier

Leigh Whannell Futuristic Feature To Shoot In Melbourne

16 December 2016

Victoria continues its run of attracting ambitious productions with Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley today announcing writer and director Leigh Whannell’s return to Melbourne to shoot his new sci-fi thriller Stem.

Stem is set in a near-future where technology controls everything. The film tells the story of a technophobe driven to avenge his wife's murder with the help of an experimental computer chip implant called ‘Stem’. US actor Logan Marshall Green (Prometheus, Spider-Man: Homecoming) will star.

In association with Goalpost Pictures Australia and Blumhouse Productions, the prodigious filmmaker will direct the film which will be shot largely at Docklands Studios Melbourne and surrounding locations. The film is slated for a US release in 2017.

Whannell, who studied filmmaking at RMIT, has also written the screenplay, building on his blockbuster credits as co-creator of the Saw franchise and writer, actor, and later director, of the Insidious film series.

The Andrews Labor Government secured Stem through the Attractive production incentive fund. The production is expected to bring millions of dollars into the Victorian economy and generate 200 local jobs.

The announcement follows the filming of HBO and Warner Bros. series The Leftovers in Melbourne earlier this year.

For more information on producing in Victoria and accessing incentives and programs visit www.film.vic.gov.auExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

“Creativity forms a huge part of what makes Victoria such an attractive global city. We’re proud to see our talent recognised internationally, and we welcome Leigh's return to Melbourne.”

“It demonstrates the confidence Goalpost Pictures and Blumhouse Productions have in Victoria's creative talent, crews, world class studios and great locations.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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