Top blockbusters Star Wars, Game of Thrones and Star Trek, all wanted to film in Scotland, but decided against it because of delay in building a world-class studio, reveals industry expert.
An industry expert says Scotland missed out on big money blockbusters after producers decided against coming here due to delays in building a studio.
Willy Wands, chairman of the Association of Film and Television Practitioners Scotland, believes Scotland has missed out on multi- million-pound productions because of delays in approving the Pentland Film Studio.
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He said: “We missed out on Game of Thrones. They came to Scotland first before they went anywhere near Ireland. The lack of a studio was absolutely a factor in Star Wars also going to Ireland, not here.” Star Wars, Game of Thrones and Star Trek, all went elsewhere to film.
Also Read: Bollywood films shot in Scotland.
Film producer Wands said that Scotland needs to provide proper opportunity to the Scottish creative industries sector. Film tourism is a win-win situation, as it positively impacts Tourism, training, jobs, revenue.
“Why it’s taken so long to deliver this studio is a huge mystery. This will be a world-class facility.”
The massive Pentland Film Studio, planned at a 96-acre site in Straiton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is getting delayed and film-makers are furious because of it. The self-funded project is headed by former Warner Brothers development manager Jim O’Donnell.
There were no comments from Pentland Studios development director O’Donnell.
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