During a recent press event, James Gunn and Peter Safran from DC were asked about keeping film production in California, especially with the threat of wildfires in the area. This concerns many filmmakers as they look for stable locations following the strikes in 2023.
Safran emphasized the need for improved tax credits in California to support consistent shooting in the area. He said, “I hope California steps up in a big way and increases the credit. Nothing would make us happier than to shoot here more often.”
The upcoming DC series Lanterns, written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, is confirmed to shoot in Los Angeles on the Warner Bros. lot. The series is expected to premiere on Max in early 2026. Safran noted that Warner Bros. worked closely with them to keep this production in California instead of moving it to Atlanta, where much of Gunn’s work, like Superman, has been filmed.
For Clayface, a project being directed by James Watkins, Safran mentioned that shooting is planned for this summer. While it’s set in Hollywood and New York City, he acknowledged that keeping it in Hollywood might be challenging.
Each project is carefully analyzed for budget and location. Lars P. Winther, a former assistant director for Gunn, plays a crucial role in reviewing these budgets to ensure they stay competitive. Gunn prefers shooting in Atlanta due to his established team there, which makes the process smoother for him.
Recently, IATSE Vice President Michael F. Miller Jr. urged studios to commit to producing a percentage of their content in Hollywood for the next five years, highlighting the importance of job stability for local residents.
Colin Farrell, the star of Penguin, is also advocating for more filming in Los Angeles, further emphasizing the need for local productions. The future of The Penguin‘s second season depends on Farrell’s availability, as he’s had recent critical success with the role.
In a move to boost the film and TV industry, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed increasing the state’s film and TV tax credits from $330 million to about $750 million starting in the 2025-2026 budget. This change aims to make California more competitive with states like Georgia and New York, which offer higher incentives for productions.
Currently, California’s incentives are capped at 20% for most projects, which limits what larger productions can claim. In comparison, Georgia and New York provide 30% incentives and cover higher salaries. New York recently raised its incentive package to $700 million and allows for salaries over $500,000 to be included, putting pressure on California to modernize its approach to attract more filmmakers.
Check out this related article: Remembering Roberta Flack: The Iconic Singer-Pianist of ‘Killing Me Softly’ Who Captivated Hearts at 88
Source linkCalifornia Film & Television Tax Credit Program,California Film Commission,Clayface,DC Studios,James Gunn,Lanterns,Peter Safran
