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Wrestling
star rescues Queensland film - 12 December 2004
(Credit:NineMSN)
American wrestling superstar John
Cena came to Australia to play a soldier but is
unexpectedly doing double duty as a hero to a
film industry in distress.
The
muscle-bound action star of World Wrestling Entertainment's
first feature film, The Marine, is tag teaming
with another wrestling horror movie called Goodnight
in a revival package at Queensland's movie studios
on the Gold Coast.
Since
the $200 million Peter Pan wrapped two years ago,
Paris Hilton's House of Wax had been the only
international feature filmed at the Warner Roadshow
Studios.
Enter
the charismatic Cena and a $US15 million ($A19.87
million) budget aimed at turning the "Dr
of Thuganomics" into the next big screen
action star.
It
couldn't have come at a better time for demoralised
film industry workers in the Sunshine State.
"For
this to go away would be a damn shame," said
Cena as he toured the studios.
"It's
great for Queensland and it's also great for WWE
Films - this is our first chance out of the gate
too.
"You
guys are getting revived and we are starting a
new development for ourselves." Cena hosted
a walk around a sound stage made to look like
a bombed out terrorist hideout which is used for
a heroic rescue early in the film.
Nearby,
other sound stages are filled with sets for the
$US5 million ($A6.62 million) horror movie Goodnight,
starring Kane - another wresting superstar.
"The
film industry in Queensland is far from being
on the mat. It is in my view going from strength
to strength," said Queensland Arts Minister
Anna Bligh.
"The
last couple of years have been some of the toughest
in the last two decades in this industry. There
is definitely a turn around happening."
WWE
Films producer Joel Simon praised the work ethic
and production quality of the Australian experience
but admitted returning was not guaranteed.
"It
may be difficult. We have to look at the dollars
and cents," he said.
The
Marine, which also stars Kelly Carlson and Robert
Patrick, will be released by Fox late next year.
Cena
hopes to make more action movies but is also looking
forward to resting up in the ring.
Media
NineMSN
Profiles
John
Cena
World
Wrestling Entertainment
Websites
World
Wrestling Entertainment
World
Wrestling Entertainment - Corporate website
Lion's
Gate Films
Queensland
Government - Arts Queensland
Media Man Australia
Entertainment
Wrestling
Directory
World
Wrestling Entertainment
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