With $16 million in federal funding and $6.3 million from the state thrown in to secure the production, the movie is expected to inject more than $119 million into the economy, employ more than 500 Australian cast and crew, and 750 local extras.

It will be the third international blockbuster from Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse franchise filmed in Queensland, and comes as Queensland’s film industry continues to accelerate production of foreign and local cinematic mega-hits out of the pandemic.

The last Godzilla vs Kong movie in the series that was filmed in south-east Queensland in 2019, hit Australian and international cinemas late last year.

Starring Alexandar Skarsgård, Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown and action star Rebecca Hall it involved more than 1200 Queenslanders, including film crew, construction, cast, extras, and stunt performers and was largely shot at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.

Other local locations included jungle in the Tallebudgera Valley, Miami High School, Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Plant, The Roosevelt Lounge at Broadbeach, Chinatown Mall in Fortitude Valley, the ULTIQA Rothbury Hotel and Masonic Temple in Brisbane, and the Workshop Rail Museum site in Ipswich.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said the local industry would benefit massively from the latest blockbuster.

“The sequel to Godzilla vs Kong will boost local businesses in and around the Gold Coast and South East Queensland, provide valuable training opportunities for our up-and-coming industry talent, and showcase Australia’s vibrant and versatile landscapes,” Fletcher said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said welcoming Legendary Pictures back to Queensland, following the filming of Kong Skull Island in 2016 and Godzilla vs Kong in 2019, was a titanic result for Queensland films.

“It’s clear our highly skilled local crew, diverse locations and first-rate facilities were definite draw cards for them to come back again,” Palaszczuk said.

“The production is expected to inject more than double the $36.5 million that Godzilla vs Kong brought to the state and is a welcome boost to our economy as we recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and south-east Queensland flooding events.

“These types of productions benefit our screen industry, deliver local jobs and provide a welcome boost to our small businesses and communities in and around our production sites.”

Of the record $1.9 billion worth of domestic and foreign screen productions throughout the country in 2020-21, Queensland generated a massive $553 million.

The state generated 29 per cent of all drama filmed in Australia, including feature films and series across broadcast, streaming and online platforms, according to Screen Australia’s Drama Report.

The state’s share of post-filming work, including post-production, digital and visual effects, also jumped with $32 million in expenditure.