Liam Neeson is set to reprise his role as a truck driver turned rescue worker in the sequel to the 2021 indie hit “The Ice Road.” Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, known for his work on films like “Die Hard with a Vengeance,” “Armageddon,” and “Jumanji,” the sequel, titled “The Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky,” will relocate its story from Canada to Nepal. Production will shift from North America to Australia’s Victoria State.
Filming is scheduled to begin this month, with the Gippsland town of Walhalla serving as the backdrop for some of the action scenes. Additionally, shooting will take place in and around Melbourne, utilizing virtual production, volume screens, and technology at NantStudios @ Docklands Studios Melbourne.
The Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky
“The Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky” is a production of Code Entertainment, ShivHans Pictures, and EMA. The producers include Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, Eugene Musso from Code, Shivani Rawat from ShivHans, Jonathan Hensleigh, Lee Nelson, and David Tish from Envision Media Arts (EMA).
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Executive producers involved in the project are Jonathan Dana, Julie Goldstein, and Connor Flanagan from Shiv Hans, Lisa Wilson, and Myles Nestel from The Solution Entertainment Group, and David Buelow from EMA.
In addition to Liam Neeson, the cast features Australian actors Bernard Curry, Geoff Morrell, and Grace O’Sullivan.
The federal and state governments have confirmed financial support for the film through their Location Incentive scheme, as well as the Victorian Screen Incentive and Regional Location Assistance Fund.
Although the production budget for the film was not disclosed, Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s acting minister for creative industries, stated that “The Ice Road 2” is expected to inject over A$30 million ($20 million) into the state’s economy. The production is anticipated to create nearly 600 job opportunities for local screen industry workers and extras, with 15 locals appointed to key head of department roles.
Hutchins added, “‘Ice Road 2’ is part of a robust lineup of local and international productions contributing to our screen industry this year, generating employment, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Victoria globally.”
The film joins other major projects currently filming in the state, including Netflix series “Apple Cider Vinegar” and “The Survivors,” along with Werner Film Production’s “The Newsreader,” set to return for its third season.
It’s worth noting that Liam Neeson previously filmed in Victoria in 2020 for the conspiracy thriller “Blacklight.”
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