007 JAMES BOND
RETURNS TO ICELAND
Copyright 2002 Business Wire
[ March 12th 2002 ]
A James
Bond film, part of longest-running and most successful
franchise in cinema history, celebrating its 40th
Anniversary this year, will return to Iceland
this spring to shoot on location. Eon Productions,
based at Pinewood Studios in the U.K., have selected
remote locations in Iceland to shoot scenes for
the 20th 007 film.
The new,
as yet untitled film will shoot in a variety of
locations featuring frozen glacial lakes, wintry
vistas, and waterfalls. Technical support will
be provided by Saga Film Productions of Reykjavik,
which estimates a crew of 40-50 technicians will
work for four weeks on the project.
The last
Bond film produced on this island-nation between
the U.S. and Europe was A View to a Kill, shot
in 1983 on the Glacier Lagoon in southern Iceland.
"We're thrilled to film part of the movie in Iceland,
which perfectly matches what we needed in the
script - a cold, exotic location that looks out-of-this-world.
This promises to be one of the greatest Bond films
ever," said Eon producer Michael G. Wilson.
Eon is
the latest production company attracted by Iceland's
scenery and its new reimbursement program that
reduces by 12 percent domestic production costs,
including out-of-pocket expenses originating in
Iceland, and all salaries and sub-contractor payments
taxable in the country.
"When
you consider Iceland's incredible natural scenery,
attractive population, and strong work ethic,
and combine it with a 12 percent rebate program,
the country ranks right up there as one of the
most desirable shooting locations in the world,"
said Magnus Bjarnason, the New York-based Trade
Commissioner for Iceland in North America. "This
is clearly one of the world's favorite film series.
The government of Iceland is thrilled that its
rebate policy is attracting increased production
in the country."
Additional
filming will take place over at least ten of Pinewood
Studios' 19 stages - including the world famous
Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage. Filming of the newest
adventure, produced by the successful Michael
G. Wilson/ Barbara Broccoli team and directed
by Lee Tamahori, started on January 14 and sees
Pierce Brosnan continuing his record-breaking
run as secret agent 007 (his fourth Bond mission),
alongside Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike as the
female leads.
Producers
are also attracted to Iceland because of its proximity
to Europe and the U.S. East Coast - Reykjavik
is only 2-1/2-hours from London and five hours
from New York. Jon Thor Hannesson, president and
CEO of Saga Film, adds, "In Iceland, you don't
have to go far to get to a remote location. There's
a lot available including very exotic landscapes
within a few hours of Reykjavik, a lively small
city with great restaurants, bars, and discos."
In the
Paramount Pictures action adventure, Tomb Raider,
based upon video-game heroine Lara Croft, the
natural wonders of Iceland stand-in for Siberia.
Recent U.S. commercials shot in Iceland include
spots for Cadillac, Coca-Cola, Ford Explorer,
Jeep Cherokee, and MasterCard. Films shot on location
in the country include Hal Hartley's latest film,
No Such Thing, executive produced by Francis Ford
Coppola and Fridrik Thor Fridriksson; and Judge
Dredd, 2nd Unit.
To qualify
for the 12 percent reimbursement, film producers
just need to establish an Icelandic limited liability
company, which can be 100 percent owned by foreign
corporations or individuals, to handle production
in Iceland. The films can be in any language and
it's not necessary to hire an Icelandic cast,
although the rebate is based upon money spent
within the country. Once these basic requirements
are met, applying for the rebate is a relatively
simple process.
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