Queensland secures its biggest TV series

• Legendary Entertainment’s second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is being made in Queensland.
• The largest locally filmed series will generate more than $115 million for the Queensland economy and create about 1,000 jobs.
• Filming has started, supported by the Miles Government’s economy-boosting Production Attraction Strategy incentive.

Queensland is home of the ‘Monsterverse’ with production now underway for Legendary Entertainment’s second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

The production consolidates Screen Queensland’s close relationship with Legendary Entertainment following recent feature films: Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla vs. Kong and Kong: Skull Island.

Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organisation known as Monarch. The dramatic saga – spanning three generations – reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives. 

The Miles Government’s Production Attraction Strategy has supported 65 films and series from local, national and international producers to be made in Queensland.

Since its introduction in 2015, the strategy has created more than 22,000 jobs for cast, crew and creatives, and contributed more than $2 billion to our economy.

In 2023–24 alone, Screen Queensland secured 11 films and series, generating 3,400 local jobs, and boosting our economy by about $345 million.

The upcoming season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is executive produced by Chris Black, along with Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell from Safehouse Pictures. Matt Shakman, Andy Colville, and Jen Roskind also serve as executive producers. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character. Toho licensed the rights to Legendary for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters as a natural result of their long-term relationship with the film franchise. 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:

“It’s been a blockbuster year for screen production in Queensland and the Miles Government is proud to welcome this series to the Sunshine State.

“Season two of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will provide jobs for around 1,000 local cast and crew.

“It’s a big boost for small businesses who will help deliver the production - everything from accommodation, medical services and catering to security, transport and wardrobe supplies.

“As the largest television series to film in Queensland, this deal demonstrates the ability of our strategy to secure a pipeline of economy and job-boosting productions.” 

Quotes attributable to Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney:

"Screen Queensland could not be happier to be working with Legendary Entertainment on this new addition to the ‘Monsterverse’—a fan-favourite franchise which continues to thrill audiences around the world.

“Securing Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the fourth production to be made in Queensland by this acclaimed studio, is a testament to our winning combination of talented local screen practitioners, world-class facilities, diverse locations and competitive incentives.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Screen Queensland is the state government-owned agency investing in locally made films, series, and games, and attracting international and interstate production and post-production. The agency runs career-building initiatives for practitioners around the state and supports film festivals and industry events such as Screen Forever, Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the AACTA Awards and Festival. Screen Queensland also operates Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane and Cairns. 

Recently supported productions include Apples Never Fall, Balls Up, Boy Swallows Universe, Dangerous Animals, Eden, Elvis, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Good Cop/Bad Cop, Land of Bad, Mortal Kombat 2, Nautilus, The Portable Door, The Bluff, Thirteen Lives, Ticket to Paradise, True Spirit, Audrey, Black Snow, Bluey, Darby and Joan, Dawn of the Dolphins, How to Make Gravy, In Limbo, In Our Blood, Limbo, Love is in the Air, Rebel with a Cause, Rock Island Mysteries, ScaryGirl, Strait to the Plate, Tastes of the Tropics and digital games Broken Roads, Capes, Cities: Skylines – Remastered, Go-Go Town, Max Mustard, Memento, Mowing Mazes, My Little Pony: Mane Merge, Unpacking and Servonauts.  

For more information about funding programs, incentives, locations and facilities, visit screenqueensland.com.au. 

Media contact: Kim Sweetman 0457 600 237