Mark Wahlberg’s major new movie is currently filming locally, with a huge production crew spotted in local bushland. It’s one of many Hollywood films to come all the way to Australia to use the beautiful Ku-ring-gai area as a backdrop.
We literally stumbled onto a massive movie set while out on dog walk at St Ives Showground. The amount of trucks (and security) indicated this was more than a local Home & Away shoot, and one of the crew kindly informed us it was for the new Mark Wahlberg movie, Play Dirty. It’s just another recent blockbuster to be filmed locally, so it seems the Ku-ring-gai really area is the new hot spot for Hollywood films.
As we’ve reported over the last year, Sean Penn’s all-star movie C*A*U*G*H*T had scenes filmed in Terrey Hills, new Australian TV drama series, based on the novel The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty, was filmed in Brooklyn and Hornsby library starring Nicole Kidman. Scenes from Netflix’s Wolf Like Me starring Isla Fisher and Josh Gad were filmed in Katina St in Turramurra, Pentecost Road and Bobbin Head Road in St Ives. And the surprise hit at the box office this summer, Anyone But You, was also filmed in Terrey Hills, among other Sydney locations.
It’s really no surprise that US production companies are heading this way with the incredible backdrops available, large swathes of bushland in which to hide dozens of film trucks (and keep filming locations under wraps), and lots of incentives and assistance from the Government.
Anyone But You director Will Gluck said that the Australian film industry, “bent over backwards to help”. The film also received the Commonwealth Location Incentive from The Australian Government and funding from the NSW Government.
What a coup for our local area as well with money injected into local businesses and so many jobs created.
“We used a great local crew,” recalls Gluck. “We also decided to do all our visual effects in New South Wales because some of the greatest VFX artists happen to be working in Sydney.”
If the amount of film trucks were anything to go by, Play Dirty is another major production that will be injecting a lot of funds into the local area – as well as showcasing it for the world to see.
Industry website, imdb.com confirms that Play Dirty also stars Dermot Mulroney, Rosa Salazar, and LaKeith Standfield. It’s being directed by Shane Black, who’s known for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, crime thriller, Play Dirty, “stars Wahlberg as a hardened professional thief who is double-crossed and left for dead. His hunt for revenge, however, brings with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career.”
There have been a few sightings of Mark since he recently arrived in Sydney. He almost got denied entry at the exclusive Elanora Country Club in Terrey Hills, when the colour of his socks did not meet the club’s dress regulations. He changed out of the black socks he was wearing, and subbed them for white ones supplied from the club, but he couldn’t resist have a dig at the regulations on his Instagram account (try not to get distracted by his abs).
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He also stopped by his Wahlbergers venue in Macquarie St to surprise diners (but has yet to visit the Manly Wahlbergers). He sent prayers to fans via his Instagram from St Mary’s Cathedral in the city.
Mark has a local connection in Roy Rocco Mustaca who, along with his son Sam Mustaca, have a business partnership with the Wahlberg family.
“The Wahlbergs signed a deal worth $50 million to partner with the United Cinemas chain, which is owned by the Mustaca family,” reported news.com at the time.
Roy is well known on the Northern Beaches as the flamboyant owner of the United Cinemas empire. He’s often spotted with celebrities and is also known for singing, having recorded several albums and the well-known song ‘God Kill The Coronavirus’, which he released during the pandemic.
It was reported when Wahlbergers opened in Manly, that another Wahlbergers would open in Terrey Hills on land owned by the Mustaca family, and there are also plans to add a Wahlbergers next to the United Cinemas at Warriewood, as well as 14 others inside or next to United cinemas.
Mark has also stated in past interviews he’d love to live in Australia. And is currently renting a $51 million luxury property in Point Piper.
There’s no release date as yet for Play Dirty, but we’ll look forward to seeing the north shore area shine in yet another Hollywood blockbuster.
Main image credit: Wahlbergers Facebook.
