While reports last week indicated that Steven Spielberg's "Terra Nova" had been delayed until Fall 2011, production on the series has taken a major step forward.
Starting in October, "Terra Nova" will be filmed in Queensland, Australia, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "My government provided considerable incentives through Screen Queensland to secure this production which, in turn, will generate in excess of [$50 million] in economic activity and create thousands of jobs," said Queensland state premier Anna Bligh.
“We wanted this ambitious series to look like no other on television and Queensland provided the best of all possible worlds," added Jim Sharp, Fox's executive vice president of production. "Queensland had the right look, climate and terrain, a vibrant production community and attractive economic incentives. We are very excited to be shooting our first production there."
The series will be filmed on location in Southeastern Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast. The report also indicated that 80% of the cast and crew will be Queenlanders.
"Terra Nova" stars Jason O'Mara as Jim Shannon, a man who flees into the prehistoric past with his family in order to save themselves and the rest of humanity from extinction in the year 2149. However, their life in the past is also threatened by living among several dangerous and carnivorous dinosaurs.
Brannon Braga ("Star Trek: The Next Generation") is attached as the showrunner and as an executive producer alongside Spielberg and David Fury ("Lost," "24"). Alex Graves and Jon Cassar will direct the pilot, which will air in Spring 2011 after an episode of "American Idol."
The spring preview strategy has previously worked to Fox's advantage with "Glee," which successfully used the added exposure to become one of the network's biggest hits.
