Apple TV to shoot big budget remake of iconic sci-fi film Metropolis in Melbourne

Apple TV+ is set to shoot an epic 8-part series inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis (19 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, the big budget production will take place at Docklands studios and is expected to inject $416M into the local economy over several years.

The Universal Studio Group produced project has received $83.8M in funding from the Federal Government’s Local Incentive program, as well as a further $41.6M from the Victorian Screen Incentive fund.

Remake: Apple TV+ is set to shoot an epic 8-part series inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis (19 in Melbourne, Victoria. It will be directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail (right). Pictured with wife, actress Emmy Rossum

Metropolis is regarded as one of the most influential films of all time, and was one of the first feature-length science science fictions ever made.

The highly-stylised silent film was made in Germany and tells the tale of a futuristic urban dystopia with a huge class divide.

Its protagonist, a privileged young man named Freder, discovers the grim underbelly of society and comes intent of befriending and helping the lower class workers.

Iconic: The highly-stylised silent film was made in Germany and tells the tale of a futuristic urban dystopia with a huge class divide. Pictured is a movie poster for Metropolis (1927)

This puts Freder at odds with his father Joh, who happens to be the authoritarian master of the city.

Esmail’s remake will make use of a new state-of-the-art ‘virtual production studio’, which will feature one of the world’s largest LED volumes.

An LED volume is an enclosed space where actors can be filmed in virtual environments in real time – reducing the need for extensive post production.

Classic: Its protagonist, a privileged young man named Freder, discovers the grim underbelly of society and comes intent of befriending and helping the lower class workers. Pictured is a scene from Metropolis (1927)

Tension: This puts Freder at odds with his father Joh, who happens to be the authoritarian master of the city. Pictured is a scene from Metropolis (1927)

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said: ‘Metropolis’ is set to be one of the most technically ambitious screen productions in the world, and the state-of-the-art infrastructure being built right here, along with our outstanding crew and locations, truly places Melbourne as amongst the world’s great screen production cities.’

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher also said of the project: ‘I’m pleased to welcome these productions to Australia, creating more than 2,100 jobs for local cast and crew, more than 7,200 extras roles, and utilising an estimated 2,100 businesses across the country, supporting our ongoing national prosperity and further strengthening our creative and cultural sectors.’

Details regarding the plot, cast and release date have not yet been made public.

Big budget: Esmail’s remake will make use of a new state-of-the-art ‘virtual production studio’, which will feature one of the world’s largest LED volumes