<p>Hollywood actor Russell Crowe announced plans on Wednesday to build a film studio on Australia's east coast, amid a rush of movie productions Down Under.</p>.<p>The Oscar-winner said the studio would be constructed in Coffs Harbour, south of Brisbane, at a sprawling pre-existing resort complex.</p>.<p>"For a number of years, I've been thinking how I might be able to combine where I live and my work," public broadcaster ABC reported him as saying.</p>.<p>The Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village "will cater for major international feature films as well as local productions", a statement added.</p>.<p>Australia has become a popular filming location during the pandemic, with productions attracted by the country's relatively low rate of Covid infections.</p>.<p>The government has also lured movie producers to Australia's sunny shores by handing out millions of dollars in incentives.</p>.<p>Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder", MGM's "Thirteen Lives", and "Blacklight", starring Liam Neeson, are among those to benefit from the grants.</p>.<p>Julia Roberts and George Clooney are also filming "Ticket to Paradise" in northern Australia this year, while the Mad Max prequel "Furiosa" is scheduled for production near Sydney in 2022.</p>.<p>Crowe's studio project still requires planning approval but has the backing of local government officials.</p>
<p>Hollywood actor Russell Crowe announced plans on Wednesday to build a film studio on Australia's east coast, amid a rush of movie productions Down Under.</p>.<p>The Oscar-winner said the studio would be constructed in Coffs Harbour, south of Brisbane, at a sprawling pre-existing resort complex.</p>.<p>"For a number of years, I've been thinking how I might be able to combine where I live and my work," public broadcaster ABC reported him as saying.</p>.<p>The Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village "will cater for major international feature films as well as local productions", a statement added.</p>.<p>Australia has become a popular filming location during the pandemic, with productions attracted by the country's relatively low rate of Covid infections.</p>.<p>The government has also lured movie producers to Australia's sunny shores by handing out millions of dollars in incentives.</p>.<p>Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder", MGM's "Thirteen Lives", and "Blacklight", starring Liam Neeson, are among those to benefit from the grants.</p>.<p>Julia Roberts and George Clooney are also filming "Ticket to Paradise" in northern Australia this year, while the Mad Max prequel "Furiosa" is scheduled for production near Sydney in 2022.</p>.<p>Crowe's studio project still requires planning approval but has the backing of local government officials.</p>