Cameras are rolling on War Machine, a new sci-fi action thriller from Lionsgate and Netflix, currently shooting in Victoria.

Directed and co-written by Victorian filmmaker Patrick Hughes (The Hitman’s Bodyguard), War Machine follows the final recruits of a grueling special ops bootcamp who encounter a deadly force from beyond this world.

Reacher star Alan Ritchson (Ordinary Angels, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) plays the lead role, alongside a stellar lineup of international and local actors including Dennis Quaid (Reagan, Far From Heaven), Stephan James (The Piano Lesson), Jai Courtney (The Suicide Squad) and Esai Morales (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One).

War Machine is directed by Patrick Hughes, written by Patrick Hughes and James Beaufort, produced by Todd Lieberman (Wonder, The Fighter) and Alex Young (Shotgun Wedding), with Executive Producers Greg McLean (Wolf Creek, Jungle), Rich Cook and Valerie Bleth Sharp (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes).

Filming commenced in September across the city of Melbourne, utilising Docklands Studios Melbourne, as well as regional locations across Victoria such as Bright and Myrtleford.

The production joins a raft of major projects filming in Melbourne, with Peacock’s television series All Her Fault now in production, as well as Sony Pictures feature Beneath the Storm.

War Machine will be distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films and released internationally by Netflix. The project has been supported by the Victorian Government through VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Incentive and by the Australian Government through the Producer Offset administered by Screen Australia.

Director, producer and writer Patrick Hughes said, “Since directing my first feature, Red Hill, in High Country, Omeo, back in 2010, I’ve predominantly been working on projects internationally. However, it’s been a lifelong dream to bring Hollywood-style blockbusters home to Australia. I am thrilled to finally bring this passion project to life right here and collaborate with an outstanding blend of international talent and our remarkable local cast, crew, and support teams. This project is just the beginning; I truly believe there’s no better place than Victoria to make movies.”

Executive Producer Greg McLean said, “War Machine marks the debut project from Huge Film, a proudly Victorian-based production company founded by Patrick Hughes, screenwriter James Beaufort, and myself, with the goal of creating elevated action, thriller and horror stories for global audiences. As local filmmakers, we are incredibly proud to work alongside such committed international partners such as Lionsgate, Netflix, and Hidden Pictures, as well as the Victorian Government through VicScreen, the Australian Government and our phenomenal cast and crew. The entire production team is dedicated to realising Patrick’s exciting vision, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”

Bring your next screen project to Victoria by exploring the state’s competitive financial incentives. To learn more, contact VicScreen’s Head of Incentives, Joe Brinkmann, at [email protected]  or visit vicscreen.vic.gov.au