The maternity ward of Northern Beaches Hospital recently played host to an unlikely visitor—a Hollywood film crew…
The upcoming Stan Original film “Beast In Me”, starring Russell Crowe, Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth, and singer Amy Shark filmed scenes at Northern Beaches Hospital earlier this month. The decision to allow a movie production at the hospital has come under scrutiny, particularly as the hospital has faced ongoing challenges.
Though no wrongdoing has been suggested regarding the producers of the forthcoming Russell Crowe film, Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes raised concerns about the hospital prioritising revenue generation over patient care services.
Directed by local filmmaker Tyler Atkins, “Beast In Me” follows an MMA coach (Crowe) seeking revenge with the help of a determined fighter. The film is affiliated with the Singapore-based One Championship fighting league, and live fight footage from One Championship events in Bangkok will be incorporated into the movie.
“Beast In Me” is currently slated for release exclusively on Stan, though no premiere date has been announced yet. The movie marks Amy Shark’s first starring role in a feature film after a successful music career that has included eight ARIA awards. Russell Crowe has previously earned three Oscar nominations for Best Actor, winning in 2001 for “Gladiator.”
Actors Luke Hemsworth and Daniel MacPherson
This is far from the first time the bright lights of Hollywood have shone on our slice of paradise. It’s the sixth recent blockbuster to be filmed locally, and it seems the Northern Beaches really is the new hot spot for Hollywood films.
As we’ve reported over the last year, Mark Wahlberg’s Play Dirty was shot here, Sean Penn’s all-star movie C*A*U*G*H*T had scenes filmed in Terrey Hills, Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy filmed in Ocean St in Narrabeen, and the surprise hit at the box office last summer, Anyone But You, was filmed in Palm Beach and Terrey Hills.
It’s 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.
Here’s our coverage from when Marky Mark was filming in local bushland if you missed it:
Mark Wahlberg Movie Being Filmed on the Northern Beaches
Images: Stan, IMDB, Columbia Pictures.
