FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2016
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Contact: Frank Provenzano
517-335-1821
provenzanof@michigan.org
‘Transformers 5’ lands in Detroit;
big-budget film latest high-profile project attracted to Michigan
Film office amended agreement with Paramount Pictures saves state
$21 million
LANSING, MI – Michael Bay’s “Transformers 5,”
the latest in the hit series of films from Paramount Pictures and Hasbro, and
among the top box-office grossing franchises of all-time, will be filmed in
Detroit this summer. Official confirmation comes as the result of
modifying incentives from other approved Paramount Pictures projects into a
single amended agreement for “Transformers 5.”
Restructuring the incentive agreements with
Paramount saves the state $21 million, and speeds up the production of the next
installment of one of next summer’s most-anticipated films.
Directed by Bay, “Transformers 5” will star
Mark Wahlberg, reprising his role of Cade Yeager. In addition to Michigan, the
movie will film in locations around the world.
“Having one of the highest-profile film
franchises created in Michigan is a major economic boost and a testament to the
talent of the state’s production community,” said Jenell Leonard, commissioner
of the Michigan Film & Digital
Media Office.
“The production and economic investment is
now happening sooner rather than later, and obviously, the project is a
certainty rather than merely a possibility,” she said.
The production anticipates an in-state spend
of $80 million and projects making 850 cast and crew hires, 450 of which will
be Michigan residents equating to 228 full-time positions. The production also
expects to hire 700 extras.
The amended agreement between the film office
and Paramount reallocates dedicated funds and meets all criteria for a
qualified production in terms of expenditures and personnel hired in Michigan.
While in July the state legislature
eliminated the film office incentive program which prohibits the film office
from entering into new agreements, agreements with production companies
approved before the abolishment of the program must be honored. Because
approved Paramount projects had yet to begin production and receive the
incentives, state statute allows for funds to be reallocated for qualified
productions.
“Michigan has been so welcoming of
Michael Bay and the ‘Transformers’ movies over the years and we are thrilled to
be returning for this next incredible installment,” said Lee Rosenthal,
president of Physical Production at Paramount Pictures.
Paramount had multiple preapproved
applications with the Film Office, representing a total of approximately $42
million in eligible incentives. “Transformers 5” takes half the incentives
already allocated for Paramount projects. The remaining $21 million will be
returned to the state general fund at the end of the fiscal year.
The announcement of “Transformers 5”
production comes a month after Viacom’s Comedy Central announced its
“Detroiters” series would be filmed in Detroit beginning this summer. The
television series did not receive an incentive. Rather, city of Detroit and
film office representatives worked together to accommodate crews and budget for
the television production.
For information on casting and jobs for
“Transformers 5,” please send resumes and information to e75production@gmail.com
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