Warner Bros. Announces Expansion of UK Film Production Base and Forthcoming Productions

Warner Bros. Announces Expansion of UK Film Production Base and Forthcoming Productions

LONDON, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --



WARNER BROS. STUDIOS LEAVESDEN TO BUILD THREE NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SOUND


STAGES AND ADD A FURTHER 100,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE.



PRODUCTION BEGINS TODAY ON NEW TARZAN ACTION ADVENTURE.



Just two years after opening, Warner Bros. has announced its plans to expand Warner
Bros. Studios Leavesden, building three new state-of-the-art stages and adding a further
100,000 square feet of office space. The Studio also revealed that its new Tarzan action
adventure started shooting in the UK today and will film at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
and on location.



The announcements were made ahead of a reception celebrating the Creative Industries,
hosted by PM David Cameron at No10 Downing Street and attended by Kevin Tsujihara, CEO,
Warner Bros. and Josh Berger, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK.



The expansion of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden will see the construction of three new
sound stages comprising one 35,000ft2 and two 17,000ft2 buildings, with 20,000ft2 of
adjacent office space. Work is set to be completed by the end of 2014, bringing the
studios' total number of sound stages to 13.



Two new buildings located next to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden have also been
acquired, to grow the production office space by a further 105,000ft2.



This is in addition to the opening, earlier in 2014, of an extra 50,000ft2 workshop
space, a 250ft2 external tank, and another new 48,400ft2 sound stage.



Today in the UK, production began on a new Tarzan action adventure, starring Alexander
Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Samuel L Jackson, Christoph Waltz and directed by David Yates,
director of the last four Harry Potter films. The film will join Warner Bros.' Pan,
directed by Joe Wright, which has been filming at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden,
Cardington Studios and on location since 28th April 2014.



Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. said: "Warner Bros. has produced
some of our most popular and successful films in the UK, working with British talent. The
expansion of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden will allow us to further tap into the
world-class creativity and innovation available here to continue this tradition of
filmmaking excellence."



Josh Berger, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK said: "Today we
reinforce once again our commitment to the UK creative industries - those that employ some
of the most talented creatives in the world. We're proud to be investing in facilities and
productions right across the UK's film, television, video games and theatre businesses,
and in the next generation of talent through our new programme, Warner Bros. Creative
Talent."



Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden opened in June 2012, becoming the first studio of its
kind to be built in the UK in 70 years and the only facility outside of the US to be owned
and operated by a Hollywood studio. The state-of-the-art studios currently represent over
a third of the available film production stage space in the UK and have already played
host to, among others, Edge of Tomorrow (directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise;
$111m in global box office receipts in its opening weekend), Heart of the Sea (directed by
Ron Howard) and Man from U.N.C.L.E (directed by Guy Ritchie). The studios have also been
home to TV productions, commercials and music videos.



This expansion and increased production activity is further evidence of Warner Bros.'
long-term commitment to the UK creative industries, which, in addition to Warner Bros.
Studios Leavesden, has seen significant investment in Warner Bros. Studio Tour London -
The Making of Harry Potter; in leading video games companies, Rocksteady Studios and TT
Games; in post-production house, Warner Bros. De Lane Lea; in its first West End musical
production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; and in Warner Bros. Television Productions
UK, following its recent acquisition of 100% of Shed Media.



As part of its growing UK presence, Warner Bros. believes it is critical to support
the next generation of creative industries talent and has been helping to drive this
effort via its major new programme of investment in skills and training, Warner Bros.
Creative Talent. Nearing the end of its inaugural year, this multi-layered, nationwide
investment encompasses scholarships with some of the UK's most respected higher education
institutions, including three Prince William scholarships in partnership with BAFTA,
apprenticeships ranging from set-lighting to post production, trainee positions on every
Warner Bros. film production in the UK, training courses and work placements.




Warner Bros.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Deborah Lincoln, Deborah.lincoln@warnerbros.com, +44-7879-484-944


-------
Profile: intent