Thor star Chris Hemsworth will film a new National Geographic series in Katoomba today (Thursday, September 2).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hemsworth will shoot scenes for the science series, Limitless, under tightly controlled COVID-19 conditions at Scenic World and other locations in Katoomba.
Under the current Public Health Order filming is permitted in NSW when appropriate COVID safety plans are in place.
Despite Hemsworth's star presence, local residents have been urged to observe Public Health orders and stay away from the filming. Pedestrian barriers will be placed at key locations, in addition to signage.
The filming is the result of 12 months of planning in collaboration with Scenic World, Blue Mountains City Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
"While Scenic World is currently closed due to the lockdown, filming is permitted under the current Public Health order. As always, safety is our first priority and strict COVID safety plans are in place to protect the crew, staff and community," said Scenic World managing director, Anthea Hammon.
"Film productions of this nature have a major positive impact on the Blue Mountains, promoting the region on a global stage and supporting the recovery of the local tourism industry which has been decimated by bushfires and the pandemic over the past 18 months."
Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill wanted to have the television shoot postponed due to the current lockdown in Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
"I have written to the production company and I have noted the measures they have in place. However, I have expressed the view that I think it more appropriate that this production is paused until after the lockdown," he said.
"Notwithstanding the steps taken, I am really worried about outsiders coming into the Mountains at this time."
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle also expressed public health concerns about the shoot, writing to the NSW police and health ministers requesting it be postponed until after lockdown.
"Whilst we welcome any efforts to boost our economy and to kick-start our tourism sector again, now is not the time... We are extremely concerned about numbers of people coming into the Mountains, especially with our local COVID cases increasing," she stated.
The production company behind the series, Nutopia, said they were unable to delay the shoot any further.
"We've been planning to film in the Blue Mountains for over a year. It's a fantastic location and we have had great support and assistance from Screen NSW, the local council and Scenic World," said Nutopia executive producer Arif Nurmohamed.
READ MORE:
"We are unable to delay our shoot any further so the safety and wellbeing of not only our crew but the local community and NSW is our upmost priority. We are operating under the strictest COVID protocols and there will be no interaction with the general public.
"All our filming and safety plans have been carefully vetted and endorsed by the council here, as well as Screen NSW and other relevant bodies. We hope that the resulting sequences will do a great deal to promote this wonderful part of the world."
Under the COVID-19 protocols in place for the filming, all crew will have to return a negative COVID-19 test before arriving and there will be a COVID safety officer and nurse on duty at all times.
Daily temperature checks will be taken for all involved in the production, as well as for local providers.
Byron Bay-based Hemsworth will transform his body by training for six challenges in the new series, expected to stream on Disney+.
"Each episode will tackle a different way we can live better for longer: regenerating damage, maximizing strength, building resilience, shocking the body, supercharging memory and confronting mortality," Nutopia states on its website.
"Hemsworth will meet leading longevity scientists who believe that the key to staying young lies in rooting out and reversing the ravages of time before they take hold, and learn secrets from superhumans who demonstrate the mind-blowing extent of human potential."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: