Alan Ritchson’s much-anticipated return to Queensland, Australia signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter in film production. Set to depict the true-life journey of Navy SEAL hero Mike Thornton, this Amazon MGM Studios feature is produced by the legendary Sylvester Stallone. As cameras begin rolling, the region brims with anticipation, eager to see how this compelling narrative unfolds.
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Production Begins in Queensland
Alan Ritchson is back in Queensland to kick off production on the untitled Amazon MGM Studios project. Filming will take place at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast. Ritchson’s fans might remember his previous work in the region, specifically the action thriller “Runner,” which was filmed in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast in 2025.
A Team of Talented Creatives
Directed by Australian filmmaker Patrick Hughes, the project focuses on Mike Thornton’s harrowing survival story in the South China Sea that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Starring alongside Ritchson are Joe Cole and Hoa Xuande, offering a diverse and talented cast ready to bring this story to life.
Production Powerhouses Unite
Sylvester Stallone and D. Matt Geller spearhead this venture under Balboa Productions, collaborating with Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young, Ritchson’s AllyCat Entertainment, and Alan Rautbort. The screenplay, crafted by Mark Semos, Alan Ritchson, and Jason Hall, promises a gripping narrative.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The film’s production is bolstered by the Australian government’s Location Offset and Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. Acting Minister for the Arts Tim Nicholls emphasized the economic benefits, with the project expected to provide jobs for 260 local cast and crew and inject approximately AUD50 million into the Queensland economy.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney praised the state’s reputation for handling complex military and water-based productions, while director Patrick Hughes expressed his excitement about filming in the Gold Coast, citing its top-notch crews and facilities.
This Mike Thornton project adds to Amazon MGM Studios’ expanding slate of Queensland-based films, setting the stage for a vibrant future in the region’s growing film industry.