Russell Crowe Returns to the Gold Coast for New Action Thriller Bear Country

Russell Crowe returns to the Gold Coast for Bear Country filming and AACTA Awards hosting duties
Russell Crowe Returns to the Gold Coast for New Action Thriller Bear Country
Photo courtesy of Highland Film Group
Russell Crowe Returns to the Gold Coast for New Action Thriller Bear Country
Photo courtesy of Highland Film Group

Queensland is set to welcome Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe once again as filming begins in February for the action thriller Bear Country. The highly anticipated film will be shot on the Gold Coast, further cementing the region’s reputation as a prime location for international productions.

Following his work on Land of Bad in late 2022, Crowe is reuniting with director Derrick Borte (Unhinged) for Bear Country, an adaptation of Thomas Perry’s novel Strip. The film is produced by Nickel City Pictures and A Higher Standard, with production support from Screen Queensland and the Australian Government’s Location Offset.

The Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Strategy has played a key role in securing Bear Country for the state. Arts Minister and Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek highlighted the benefits of the initiative, noting its impact on the local economy and job creation.

“Queensland’s international reputation as a production powerhouse continues to grow, and our Production Attraction Strategy Incentive plays an important role in generating a steady pipeline of work for the state’s film industry,” Langbroek said.

“The recent boost in productions opens the door for Queenslanders wanting to build a career in the screen sector, with Bear Country employing around 95 people while generating an estimated $11.9 million for the economy.

“I’m confident the Gold Coast’s incredible natural environment will shine in Bear Country when it conveniently doubles as Los Angeles.”

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney echoed these sentiments, emphasising the skills and expertise of the local crew and the opportunities the production will bring to emerging talent.

“We hear time and time again from Australian and international producers that Queensland’s crew base is second to none,” Feeney said. “It’s fantastic that we can welcome back a global star like Russell Crowe to experience all our screen production sector can offer while enjoying the best of our Queensland lifestyle.”

She also noted that Bear Country will provide crucial training opportunities through Screen Queensland’s Attachment Program, which offers paid, on-set positions for emerging crew members working under experienced industry professionals.

Bear Country: An Action-Packed Thriller

Directed by Derrick Borte and co-written by Borte and Daniel Forte (American Dreamer), Bear Country sees Crowe take on the role of Manco Kapak, an ageing but formidable club owner. When Kapak is robbed by a masked gunman, his dreams of selling his club and retiring with his girlfriend are suddenly thrown into jeopardy.

The film is being produced by Mark Fasano (Marlowe) of Nickel City Pictures; Jeffrey Greenstein (The Hitman’s Bodyguard) of A Higher Standard; Deborah Glover (Sleeping Dogs) of G2 Dispatch; and Mark Bower and Bruno Mustic of Life & Soul Pictures.

Crowe to Host the 2025 AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast

In addition to filming Bear Country, Crowe is set to take centre stage in a different capacity when he hosts the 2025 AACTA Awards on February 5. No stranger to the AACTAs, Crowe’s history with the awards stretches back 35 years to his first major nomination for The Crossing.

His first wins came in 1992 when he took out both Best Lead Actor (Romper Stomper) and Best Supporting Actor (Proof). Now, in 2025, Crowe will step into the role of host, bringing his signature presence to the prestigious event. He will also present the inaugural AACTA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in Screen, which will be awarded to Australian music legend Paul Kelly on the night.

With Bear Country filming in Queensland and the AACTA Awards taking place on the Gold Coast, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Crowe in Australia’s entertainment capital.

The Gold Coast: A Filmmaker’s Paradise

The decision to film Bear Country on the Gold Coast reinforces the region’s appeal as a top-tier filming destination. Producer Mark Fasano praised Queensland’s production resources, citing the local talent and diverse locations as key factors in returning to the region.

“Queensland’s Gold Coast offers an unbeatable combination of diverse locations, talented local crews and fantastic creatives. This, combined with the great support from Screen Queensland, is why I’m excited to be back in Queensland to shoot Bear Country,” Fasano said.

The production is also backed by the City of Gold Coast, further highlighting the region’s commitment to attracting large-scale film and television projects.

As Bear Country prepares to begin filming, excitement is building for what promises to be an intense, high-stakes thriller featuring one of Australia’s most celebrated actors. With Queensland’s world-class crew, stunning locations, and strong government support, the state continues to prove itself as a major player in the global film industry.

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Owen George

Editor & Chief of Gold Coast Magazine is a lover of great coffee and sharing the stories of the people, places, and events that make the Gold Coast such a great city