The Gold Coast is once again doubling as Hollywood’s aquatic playground, with filming now underway for Subversion, a high-stakes submarine thriller fronted by Aussie megastar Chris Hemsworth. The Amazon MGM Studios production, packed with international talent including Lily James, Michael Peña, Joe Cole, Simone Kessell, Robert John Burkeand David Wenham, has docked at Village Roadshow Studios in Queensland.
Set against a backdrop of international waters, Subversion promises a tense cat-and-mouse game that plays out beneath the surface, both literally and emotionally. Hemsworth leads the cast in what is shaping up to be a complex, tightly wound action epic, penned by Andrew Ferguson and directed by Patrick Vollrath (7500).
And while the storyline is tightly under wraps, what’s not secret is the scale of the production. With over 400 local cast and crew on board, Subversion is making a major splash not just on screen but across the Gold Coast film scene.
For producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, whose credits include the Transformers franchise, Queensland was a no-brainer when it came to choosing a filming location for Subversion.
“Subversion is a high-stakes action thriller that needs scale and scope,” said di Bonaventura. “Queensland was a natural fit because it offers incredible scenery, a great studio and a world-class crew. A lot of the movie takes place on the water and Queensland has spectacular oceanscapes.”
The production is making full use of Village Roadshow Studios’ water tank infrastructure, as well as the broader capabilities of Brisbane and Gold Coast-based post-production facilities. According to Jacqui Feeney, CEO of Screen Queensland, this project is another vote of confidence in the state’s ability to deliver on large-scale, technically demanding productions.
“We are proud to continue our ongoing collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios which has recently included the productions Balls Up, The Bluff and Voltron,” said Feeney. “Subversion further cements the trust that has been established with our local crew base. We are pleased to welcome back executive producer E. Bennett Walsh with another complex action epic that will be shot between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.”
Behind the camera, the film also boasts a powerhouse production team. Alongside Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Subversion is executive produced by Stephen Shafer, Greg Cohen and E. Bennett Walsh — the latter making a return to Queensland following previous large-scale productions.
“Subversion will benefit from Queensland’s growing expertise on high-end, highly technical action productions,” Feeney added, noting the synergy between the location’s natural assets and its cutting-edge studio capabilities.
With filming split between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the production is not just leveraging the area’s scenic value but also tapping into a skilled workforce and robust screen infrastructure. While the exact storyline remains under wraps, the combination of talent both in front of and behind the camera is setting the stage for a film that’s poised to dive deep into suspense, action and intrigue.
