Sydney set to lose Miller's mega movie
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George Miller says the Australian film industry needs big blockbusters (file photo). (Getty Images: Lucas Dawson )
Oscar-winning Australian director George Miller says his $200 million movie Justice League Mortal will probably have to be shot overseas, because it is unlikely to be eligible for a Federal Government tax rebate.
The superhero blockbuster, starring former model Megan Gale, was to be shot in Sydney.
Warner Bros suspended filming plans in January, citing uncertainty over the tax incentive.
Critics claim the movie is an American story that will be performed with American accents and should not be eligible for the 40 per cent production offset.
But Miller insists his film meets all the criteria set out by the Film Finance Corporation (FCC).
He also says that the Australian film industry needs big films like Justice League to sustain production and draw talent back from overseas.
"Babe wasn't an Australian story, Happy Feet is not an Australian story, Moulin Rouge is not an Australian story," he said.
"That kind of thinking dooms us to make very, very small films that not even Australians want to see.
"You need the gravitational pull of these big blockbusters to sustain production, to build the talent pool."
Miller says a final decision is yet to be made, but he plans to appeal if the offset is refused.
Tonight on ABC1's Lateline, Peter Garrett talks about the future of Australia's film industry.
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