Fury Road delayed AGAIN!!!

[biolumen]

wut?

Studio dreams rusting away in Broken Hill

Brenden Hills, in Broken Hill, and Jonathon Moran From: The Sunday Telegraph January 30, 2011 12:00AM

Mad Max is on ice again and padlocks and cobwebs adorn its multi-million dollar studio, but Broken Hill clings to its dream of Hollywood-in-the-outback.

Locals have faith director George Miller will eventually bring his post-apocalyptic franchise back, even though it has been twice postponed and has no firm start date.

Miller has signed most of the town to confidentiality agreements and not a word will be said against him or his production company despite the fact businesses have been left swinging in the breeze.

The sentiment towards the studio - funded by $2 million in State Government and council money - is similar and echoes another Hollywood blockbuster: build it and they will come.

The movie franchise return to Broken Hill was "the catalyst" for the council to convert a historic power station on Eyre St into a studio last year. It is still waiting for its first production to start earning a return on public investment.

Despite having all measures in place, including sets built and production staff ready to film, Miller has again put off Mad Max 4, Fury Road, the latest in the series that made a star of Mel Gibson.

Late last year the Oscar winner announced the shoot - to star Teresa Palmer and UK actor Tom Hardy as the new Max -- was on hiatus after heavy rains and unseasonable green growth made Broken Hill's Mars-like red earth look better suited for lawn bowls.

His company, Kennedy Miller Mitchell, is yet to formally lease the property which is to be known as "Desert Studios" and no other film projects have booked to use the studio.

Frustrated businesses remain in limbo, but are hopeful Miller and his 500-strong film crew will return to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.

"We've had nothing but drought for 10 years - perfect for a Mad Max film - and as soon as they announced it we get more wildlife than the botanic gardens," said Adrian Bennett, who owns a Mad Max 2 museum in Silverton.

But they aren't saying much for fear of upsetting Miller and his team and losing the film for Broken Hill altogether. That would be a disaster, they say.

"Everyone they came into contact with - film crew, producers anyone - they made us sign a contract saying we wouldn't blab about anything we heard or saw," one business owner said. What they will say however, is optimistic.

"I think they'll be back. The delay is just a business decision," said Broken Hill resident Margaret Radford. "They invest a lot of money in these films and it has to meet George's vision. Until it does, they'll just hold off."

Film makers built a $180,000 storage shed for special effects material and countless cars on Mrs Radford's farm. It is under 24-hour watch by hired security guards.

The predicted two-year shoot has been put off until at least August 2012. Mr Miller is focussing all his attention on Happy Feet 2, the big budget animated feature he is making in Sydney.

The director did not return The Sunday Telegraph's calls on Friday.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/studio ... 5996705136

[flightsuit]

AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LTDHO]

Maybe George should have looked into filming this 10 years ago!!

[jak321]

Perhaps they should have stuck with shooting in Namibia. Also, instead of all the time Miller wasted on the Justice League film, he could have been working MM4.

[flightsuit]

And what is this "Happy Feet 2" bullshit? Aren't there already enough big-budget animated films? I have no idea what Happy Feet 2 is about, but I already hate it.

[junkers88]

FACT: $50 million has already spend on 3D camera/rig development and art department (read vehicles) and the 2 weeks of test shoots.

RESULT: More delays.

I wish this thing would quietly slip back form the 3rd dimension.

[Taipan]

so.. dancing penguins eh?


Whatever, since the world is going to end on 2012, we might as well build our own junk cars and spread terror. Maybe that's why Miller got those fancy 3D cameras, that lazy bum is waiting for us to do all the dirty work for him!

[biolumen]

FACT: $50 million has already spend on 3D camera/rig development and art department (read vehicles) and the 2 weeks of test shoots.

RESULT: More delays.

I wish this thing would quietly slip back form the 3rd dimension.

Damn straight! It makes me sick to think that millions may have been poured into these custom 3D camera systems. They should dump 3D and just go with the Panavision Genesis camera that Semler is fond of using. Apocalypto looked fantastic.

My problem with 3D? It actually takes me out of a good live action movie. It makes me more aware that I'm watching a film. Conversely, I can get lost in a good 'ol regular 2D movie. I was completely engrossed watching 'The King's Speech'. An extra dimension would NOT have made the film better. Miller should just concentrate on making the best 2D film he can. Make it great and the box office and accolades will follow. All he need do is look at Nolan's 2D 'Inception'.

As for the $50 million number, it's interesting to hear that they've spent half of the reported $100 million budget. Unless of course that other rumor that they had almost $250 million at their disposal is true, but I assumed that was for 2 films, and it still isn't clear if that's the case or not.

Article on Semler, the Genesis camera and Apocalyto

http://media.panavision.com/Newsroom/Pr ... -30-08.pdf

[MWFV8]

Indeed but sadly 3D is the current fad that draws in an audience. Although it's starting to look like Fury Road will be so delayed it will have passed by the time it's released.

[scummy]

And what is this "Happy Feet 2" bullshit? Aren't there already enough big-budget animated films? I have no idea what Happy Feet 2 is about, but I already hate it.

Happy feet is about a PENGUIN who cant stop DANCING ! A BLOODY PENGUIN CARTOON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!