Hollywood to come to Kardinia Park

KARDINIA Park will host to a major new film production later this month, when it will transform into an NFL stadium for the occasion.

Announced by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks, the film, Untitled John Tuggle Project, will be shot at the Geelong sporting venue.

The film follows the story of underdog New York Giants footballer John Tuggle, who was dubbed “Mr Irrelevant” in the 1983 NFL draft as the last player chosen in the last round.

David Corenswer, Michael Shannon and Isabel May will star in the new film, backed by the Victorian government through the Victorian Screen Rebate.

“It’s exciting to see another major international production coming to life in Victoria, creating hundreds of jobs and delivering economic impact in Melbourne and regional Victoria,” Mr Brooks said.

“This project continues the winning streak for our local screen industry, showcasing both our creative capability and our world class sporting facilities.”

The Skydance Sports production is tipped to create 825 jobs for Victorian screen workers and extras, including members of the local gridiron community, and is expected to inject almost $29 million into the Victorian economy.

An estimated 125 Victorian businesses will also benefit from the production, including specialist screen businesses, accommodation providers and hospitality venues.

“Kardinia Park is more than a sporting venue – it’s a world class stadium that continues to attract major opportunities like this film production, bring local jobs, economic benefits, and global exposure for Geelong,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.

The project is the latest in Victoria’s run of screen productions and follows TV series The Dispatcher, which will soon begin filming in Warrnambool, and an Liam Nelson action thriller, filmed earlier this year.

Parts of Untitled John Tuggle Project will also be shot at La Trobe University Sports Park in Bundoora.