The Disney film Tomorrowland, shot partially in Central Florida, was previewed before an Orlando audience of cast, crew members and community leaders including the Orlando EDC’s film commissioner, Sheena Fowler.
“I was incredibly proud to watch the credits roll on the Florida crew,” Fowler said. “The creators of this film, two-time Oscar winner Brad Bird, Damon Lindelof and Jeff Jenesen are all highly regarded and working with Brad Bird’s direction allowed us all to challenge our skills and rise to the occasion.”
Tomorrowland is a mystery adventure starring Academy Award winner George Clooney. Other special guests in attendance for the premiere at the AMC Downtown Disney 24 theater included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Florida District 47 Representative Mike Miller, and SVP of Downtown Disney Maribeth Bisienere.
The filming required an accumulated 50 days of overall work and created an estimated total economic impact of $7 million. Over 200 vendors were used throughout the project, averaging about $10,770 per vendor and spending about $2.4 million in total. In addition, over 600 local workers joined in on the project earning about $4.5 million in payroll.
The Space Coast and NASA are clearly recognizable in the film with the Orlando locations including the main character Casey Newton’s home in Altamonte Springs and a driving sequence that was filmed on 436 and Uptown Altamonte.
Fowler said, “Tomorrowland highlights the importance of supporting Orlando’s Film and Digital Media Industry which has been a positive and powerful driver of our economy for more than 30 years. This industry employs thousands of highly skilled professionals, some of whom are now leaving our state in search of work as our competitors gain ground using a tax credit program we currently can’t compete with. I hope this movie draws attention to the phenomenal production assets and talent we have in Orlando.”