Victoria Attracts New Amazon Studios Sci-Fi Thriller

Saoirse Ronan in “Little Women.” (Columbia Pictures)

The Australian state of Victoria has become the filming site for a sci-fi thriller from Amazon Studios starring Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan.

The Victorian government announced on Feb. 4 that the film Foe had recently begun production in several locations in the state, including Winton Wetlands and Melbourne’s Docklands Studios.

Saoirse Ronan, an American-born Irish actress nominated three times for Oscar’s best actress award for her roles in Brooklyn, Lady Bird and Little Women, plays the main female character along with Paul Mescal (Normal People) and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad).

Meanwhile, Victorian filmmaker Garth Davis, best known for his Oscar-nominated film Lion, will direct the adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Canadian writer Iain Reid.

“I am very proud to be making Foe in my home state of Victoria, particularly on Yorta Yorta country in the amazing Winton Wetlands, which is one of our key locations,” Davis said in a statement.

Actor Saoirse Ronan attends the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 21, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Turner)

The film is receiving support from incentive programs as part of the $191.5 million VICSCREEN strategy—a state government plan to invigorate Victoria’s screen industry. It is also anticipated to inject $32 million (US$22.9 million) into the state economy while generating 950 jobs for the local cast and crew.

Foe joins the ranks of Robbie Williams biopic Better Man and Blacklight (starring Liam Neeson), two other feature-length productions that have recently picked Victoria as the filming location.

Victorian Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said Foe would cement the state’s position as a powerhouse in the global film industry and contribute to the local economic growth.

“The production of Foe is another way the Victorian film industry is being showcased to the world, bringing our exceptional industry professionals together with some of the best international talent,” he said.

“We’re attracting major international productions and expanding our screen production capabilities to grow our economy, create local jobs and further assert Victoria’s position as a global screen powerhouse.”