International superstar Liam Neeson has hit the road in Victoria as production starts on The Mongoose, Neeson’s third film in the state in four years.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today visited Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome to meet the Taken and Schindler’s List star and production team on the set of the action-thriller which will shoot in Bacchus Marsh, Castlemaine and Bangholme as well as the Melbourne CBD, North Melbourne, Kensington and Moorabbin.
The Mongoose stars Neeson as Ryan “Fang” Flanagan, a war hero accused of a crime he didn’t commit and with nothing to lose, leads police on an epic televised cross-country car chase, helped by members of his former Special Forces Army battalion, as a fascinated public cheers him on.
Directed by veteran stunt professional Mark Vanselow, the film boasts a stellar international cast including Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, Ving Rhames and Michael Chiklis.
They are supported by a terrific local cast including Ryan Morgan, Maurice Meredith, Toby Truslove, Aisha Aidara, Zac Taylor, Yesse Spence, Mario Sayana, Geoff Paine, Elias Anton, Brett Tucker, Hamish Michael, Geoff Morell and Louisa Mignone.
From its production base at the Melbourne Screen Hub in Footscray and across its on-location shoots, the production will also create more than 450 jobs for Victorian screen workers and engage 150 local businesses -including aerial cinematography by globally renowned Melbourne drone specialists XM2.
The production will inject more than $19 million into the Victorian economy, with an estimated $2 million being spent in regional Victorian communities. The project reunites Neeson with Code Entertainment, producers of both Ice Road and Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky and was written by Thompson Evans (Reckoning).
Code Entertainment’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, and Eugene Musso will produce. Jonathan Dana will executive produce with Code’s Rich Freeman along with Steven Shapiro and Liz and Ken Whitney of Jupiter Peak Productions. Lisa Wilson and Craig Chapman of The Solution Entertainment Group will also executive produce.
Liam Neeson’s previous Victorian-based productions Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky (2023) and Blacklight (2020) created more than 1,300 jobs and generated more than $55 million in economic value for the state.
The Mongoose was attracted to Victoria by the Allan Labor Government through VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Rebate. The film also received support from the Federal Government’s Location Offset.
The Labor Government’s screen strategy has so far created 44,000 jobs and generated $1.9 billion in direct economic expenditure in Victoria – securing the state’s reputation as a global destination for screen and games production.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks MP
“We’re thrilled to welcome Liam Neeson and the team back to Victoria to make yet another action-packed movie that will create hundreds of local jobs, engage local businesses and generate millions for our economy.”
“The Mongoose is the first of a strong pipeline of local and international productions that will fuel our screen industry in 2025. We’re excited to see Victoria on the global stage once again, and we thank the local communities across Victoria who are hosting this major production in their hometowns.”
As stated by Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
“It’s fantastic to see Bacchus Marsh once again in the spotlight, with this major Liam Neeson production bringing jobs, excitement, and a boost to our local businesses.”
As stated by Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“The benefits of The Mongoose extend well beyond the set, with flow-on effects for businesses and workers across the region, reinforcing Victoria’s status as a premier filming destination.”
As stated by VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher
“Since the inception of Victoria’s Screen Industry Strategy in 2021 we have seen exceptional economic growth, creative success and cultural value delivered to Victoria. This performance is derived from setting a bold vision and working as a united industry to become a global powerhouse for screen.
“The strengths of Victoria’s screen industry are no secret to Liam Neeson, Al Corley and Bart Rosenblatt, they love Victoria. They have embraced our exceptional film-making talents and our spirit of innovation which is benefiting Victorian small businesses and screen workers across the state.”
As stated by Liam Neeson
“I’m honoured to be back in Victoria working on my latest film “The Mongoose” with one of the best crews, again, that I have ever worked with in over 100 movies.”
