Premier Nathan Rees has announced that NSW has secured production of Fury Road, the latest Mad Max film, giving a massive boost to the local film industry and the economy.
"The Mad Max films are iconic and the latest instalment - Fury Road will be made right here in NSW," said Mr Rees.
"In the hands of director George Miller, we will see one of the largest and most ambitious live action films ever made in Australia."
"This is a clear vote of confidence in Australian expertise. This proves that Sydney is an international contender for major film production."
Filming for Fury Road will take place over the next two and a half years and create around 540 jobs.
Industry & Investment NSW helped secure the film for NSW with assistance provided by the Film and Television Industry Attraction Fund.
Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM) will start pre-production immediately and filming is scheduled for 2010.
Sydney contemporary arts venue CarriageWorks will be used as a base for motion capture studio for Happy Feet 2 and development work for Fury Road.
Up to 30 weeks of filming will also take place in and around Broken Hill.
Warner Bros has financed the Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM) production and will be the worldwide distributor for the film.
George Miller said Happy Feet 2 and Fury Road will be good for Sydney's reputation as a base for sustained film production.
"Hollywood has cut its production in half. Big movies like Fury Road and Happy Feet are rare and competitively sought after in all the filmmaking regions of the world." said Mr Miller.
"The production agreements have been a long time in the making and Premier Rees and his team have worked like Trojans to ensure this substantial investment comes into this country."
Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said Fury Road would be a unique production bringing multiple benefits to the film and other industries.
"With film and production work occurring not just here, but in the Far West, the economic benefits that Fury Road will bring with it will be felt right across the State," said Mr Macdonald.
"With over 500 jobs associated with the film, securing its production here in NSW represents a huge boon for the State."
Fury Road builds on recent NSW film and television wins including Tomorrow When the War Began, Underbelly III, Happy Feet 2 and Guardians of Ga’hoole which are all currently in production in NSW.