The Australian economy is expected to receive a $47 million shot in the arm, with Universal Studios returning to film season two of popular U.S. comedy series Young Rock in Queensland about the life of wrestler-turned-acting-megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
After investing $6.3 million in the project via its Location Incentive program, the federal government has welcomed back the show, with 11 more episodes to be filmed around South-East Queensland and at Village Roadshow Studios this month.
The first production of the show injected an estimated $33.8 million into the Australian economy and created more than 300 jobs for local cast and crew.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the sequel would be a boon for the Australian screen industry.
“The Young Rock sequel is providing employment for more than 300 Australian cast and crew, and more than 1,200 Australian extras,” said Fletcher.
“This steady line of work means crews that worked on Young Rock Season 1 will be able to return to season two in senior roles with increasingly prominent international credits.”
The sequel will add to NBCUniversal’s pipeline of work in Australia, with the production of La Brea, Joe Exotic and Irreverent already secured.
Returning via the Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Strategy, Young Rock is estimated to inject $27 million into Queensland’s economy.
“This family-friendly, coming-of-age comedy has South-East Queensland doubling for Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Miami in the 80s and 90s, so the range of locations on offer, alongside our ideal climate, is definitely on display in Young Rock,” said Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich.
“I would like to sincerely thank Universal Studios Group for once again choosing Queensland and our expert local crew and talented actors, to play a lead part in bringing Dwayne Johnson’s fascinating life story to screen.”
To date, the government’s Location Incentive program has distributed more than $265 million to attract 27 international productions to Australia.
It has also generated more than $1.98 billion in private investment, providing more than 17,400 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, and creating work for over 16,000 businesses that support these big productions.
Season one of Young Rock premiered on NBC in the U.S. in February 2021 and was released to Australian screens a month later on Foxtel and streaming service Binge.
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