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League of our own

Chelsea White

20 February 2008

MANLY'S International College of Management has emerged as a frontrunner location for the multi-million-dollar blockbuster film Justice League of America.

The movie, which is to star Australia's own Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, has been in limbo since January, primarily because of the US writers' strike.

However, The Manly Daily can reveal with the strike now resolved, production of the super heroes flick looks set to proceed.

Already, top film studio scouts have identified the Manly venue made famous around the world by the nuptuals of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban as a highly desirable shooting spot.

The Warner Bros production Justice League could start filming within the next couple of months if all goes according to plan.

Yesterday International College of Management general manager Frank Prestipino told The Manly Daily he had been approached by the studio but was still awaiting confirmation.

``They have certainly been looking at the college as a location,'' Mr Prestipino said. He said they do not yet know when filming would begin.

The big budget movie will be directed by Happy Feet's George Miller and will be produced by Academy Award-winner Barrie Osborne of Lord of the Rings and Apocalypse Now fame.

On screen will be a mix of old and new faces with Gale confirmed as Wonder Woman in her movie debut. Also confirmed is The OC's Adam Brody as the Flash and US rapper Common as the Green Lantern.

Rumoured to play the villain is Australian actress Teresa Palmer, who was recently romantically linked to co-star Brody. This Justice League is an adaptation of long-time comic book staple of the same name.

The crime fighting league features some of comics' best known characters including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern.

The superhero extravaganza will be the first film in a recently signed three-movie deal with Warner for former model Gale.

``It's a big deal for me that someone thought I had the potential to generate box-office figures for not one, but three, films,'' Gale said last month. ``It's pretty scary, but I just have to think they wouldn't have signed me if they didn't think I could pull it off.''

The movie will be the first big budget Hollywood film to be shot in Sydney since Superman Returns with many overseas productions favouring Victoria and Queensland in recent times.

While the International college's brush with Hollywood has been limited to weddings, the area around the picturesque venue is no stranger to filming.

In addition to numerous local television series North Head and its surrounds have also played host to Mission Impossible II.

Superstar Tom Cruise even hung from the cliff edge near Dobroyd Head in the movie. Up and down the peninsula will also get a taste of the action if the stars of Hollywood descend upon the peninsula with George Miller and his large entourage expected to rent locally. Murray Walls, of Max Walls International said the cast and crew will want privacy and luxury but in his experience they'll be willing and able to pay top dollar.

``We rented a property recently for nine days for $60,000 and the tenant flew his own team of cleaners in from Hong Kong before he moved in,'' he said.

Mr Walls predicted the exclusive beach suburbs such as Bungan Beach, Palm Beach and Whale Beach might appeal to the younger movie set while something glamorous overlooking Shelly Beach might also appeal.

Manly Chamber of Commerce's Jenni Burgess said the film would mean great things for local economy both during shooting and in the future.

``I think it will be an absolutely fantastic showcase of Manly,'' Ms Burgess said.