Disney Studios Australia

Australian film and television production facility owned by Disney (1998-present)

Disney Studios Australia

Formerly| Fox Studios Australia (1998–2022)
Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Film
Founded| 1 May 1998; 27 years ago (1998-05-01)
Headquarters|

Building 16, 38 Driver Avenue, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales

Australia (Map)

Parent|

* Fox Entertainment Group (1998–2019)
* Walt Disney Studios (2019–present)

Website| www.disneystudiosaustralia.com

Disney Studios Australia (formerly known as Fox Studios Australia) is a motion picture and television production facility in Sydney that has operated as part of The Walt Disney Company since 2019.

Occupying the site of the former Sydney Showground at Moore Park, the studio was created in May 1998 by the now-defunct News Corporation, later split into 21st Century Fox, which Disney acquired in 2019.

The 32-acre-site, which is 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD, features eight sound stages, several production offices, workshops, and around 60 independent entertainment industry businesses.

The studio has been involved in the production of numerous major films, including The Matrix, Moulin Rouge!, Mission: Impossible 2, Star Wars Episodes II and III, Superman Returns, and Son of the Mask.

## Site history

[edit]

Prior to 1998, the Studio's site was host to Sydney's Royal Easter Show – the largest event held in Australia, and the sixth largest in the world. In 1881, the New South Wales Government provided land for the Royal Agricultural Society at Moore Park where the show was held for 16 years. From 1902 to 1919, the site expanded to the south and from 1920 to 1937, the Moore Park Showground expanded to the north. In 1998, the Show moved to a new showground and the former Sydney Showground at Moore Park became the home to Fox Studios Australia.

The 132,000 square metre (32 acre) site includes eight stages, production offices and heavy industrial workshops, and a community of over 60 independent businesses[citation needed]. These businesses provide services such as equipment hire, travel and freight, casting, postproduction, and explosives/pyrotechnic factory, adjoining residential properties.

Disney Studios Australia houses post-production specialists in film editing, sound re-recording and sound.

## Backlot Theme Park

[edit]

Fox Studios Backlot was purportedly based on Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The $261 million park opened on 7 November 1999. An adjacent precinct provides restaurants and cafes, a retail complex, parklands, entertainment venues, and sporting facilities. The adjacent precinct was previously known as simply 'Fox Studios Entertainment Precinct'. The backlot closed down in 2001 and the entrance remains at Fox Studios Australia.

## Ownership

[edit]

Fox Studios Australia logo before Disney renamed the studio in 2022.

Disney Studios Australia is owned by the media conglomerate The Walt Disney Company, under the terms of a 99-year lease from the New South Wales State Government.

The decision by the Carr Government in 1995 to allow News Corporation, predecessor of 21st Century Fox, to take over the site was controversial and attracted criticism from sections of the media such as The Sydney Morning Herald and independent MP Clover Moore. It was alleged that a secret deal took place between the NSW Government and the largest shareholder and Chairman/CEO of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch, involving the donation of $25 million in taxpayers' money for the new site.[1][2]

On 20 March 2019, The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, and now owns the studio, as well as 20th Century Studios and other related film units.[3] On 10 October 2022, the studio dropped the "Fox" branding and was officially renamed Disney Studios Australia.[4][5]

## Productions

[edit]

The studio has been involved in a number of movies and television shows including:

### Films

[edit]

* No Escape (1994)
* Babe (1995)
* Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
* Dark City (1998)
* Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
* Holy Smoke! (1999)
* The Matrix (1999)
* Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
* Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
* Moulin Rouge! (2001)
* La Spagnola (2001)
* Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
* The Quiet American (2002)
* The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
* Kangaroo Jack (2003)
* The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
* The Night We Called It a Day (2003)
* Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
* Son of the Mask (2005)
* Stealth (2005)
* Superman Returns (2006)
* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
* Australia (2008)
* X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
* Accidents Happen (2009)
* Tomorrow When the War Began (2010)
* Happy Feet Two (2011)
* The Great Gatsby (2013)
* The Wolverine (2013)
* The Lego Movie (2014)
* Unbroken (2014)
* Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)[6]
* Gods of Egypt (2016)
* Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
* Alien: Covenant (2017)
* The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
* The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
* Peter Rabbit (2018)
* Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)
* The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
* The Invisible Man (2020)
* Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)
* Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
* Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
* The Fall Guy (2024)
* Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
* Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
* I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
* The Deb (TBA)
* Play Dirty (TBA)

### Television

[edit]

* Farscape (Nine Network, 1999)
* Playhouse Disney (Seven Network, 2003–2008)
* Australian Idol (Network Ten, 2003–2009)
* Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–2005)
* The Upside Down Show (2006)
* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)
* Hi-5 (Nine Network, 2008)
* The Barefoot Rugby League Show (NITV, 2010–2013)
* The X Factor (Seven Network, 2010–2016)
* Minute To Win It (Seven Network, 2010)
* Good News Week / Good News World (Network Ten, 2011)
* The Voice (Nine Network, 2012–2019; Seven Network, 2020–present)
* Young Talent Time (Network Ten, 2012)
* A League of Their Own (Network Ten, 2013)
* Move It (9Go!, 2014–2018)
* So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Network Ten, 2014)
* Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018)
* Shark Tank (Network Ten, 2015–2018)
* The Great Australian Spelling Bee (Network Ten, 2015–2016)
* You're Back in the Room (Nine Network, 2016)
* This Time Next Year (Nine Network, 2017–2019)
* Little Big Shots (Seven Network, 2017–2018)
* Dance Boss (Seven Network, 2018)
* All Together Now (Seven Network, 2018)
* Take Me Out (Seven Network, 2018)
* Blind Date (Network 10, 2018)
* Game of Games (Network 10, 2018)
* Dancing with the Stars (Network 10, 2019; Seven Network, 2024–present)
* Chris & Julia's Sunday Night Takeaway (Network 10, 2019)
* The Proposal (Seven Network, 2019)
* The Masked Singer Australia (Network 10, 2019–2023)
* Lego Masters Australia (Nine Network, 2022–present)

## See also

[edit]

* Television portal
* Australia portal

* List of film production companies
* List of television production companies

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Dick, Tim (20 September 2004), "Moore readies for new Fox Studios fight", The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney
2. ^ Milliken, Robert (26 October 1995), "Sydney enraged by Murdoch's film studio deal", The Independent, London
3. ^ Frater, Patrick (19 February 2019). "New Fox Appoints Wayne Borg to Los Angeles Studio Role". Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
4. ^ Shepherd, Emma (10 October 2022). "Disney Studios Australia officially renames from Fox Studios; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes production begins". Mumbrella. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
5. ^ Tulich, Katherine (9 October 2022). "'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' Starts Shooting at Renamed Disney Studios Australia". Variety. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
6. ^ Maddox, Garry (30 November 2013). "Mad Max Fury Road: Big muddy smash caps epic shoot". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* The Entertainment Quarter

* v
* t
* e

The Walt Disney Studios

Film
production|

| Live-action|

* Walt Disney Pictures
* Disneynature
* Marvel Studios
* Lucasfilm
* 20th Century Studios
* 20th Century Family
* Searchlight Pictures

|

Animation|

* Walt Disney Animation Studios
* Pixar
* Marvel Studios Animation
* Lucasfilm Animation
* 20th Century Animation

VFX/SFX|

* Industrial Light & Magic
* Skywalker Sound

Distribution|

* Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
* Buena Vista International
* Star Distribution
* El Capitan Theatre
* Hollywood Masonic Temple

Disney Music Group|

* Walt Disney Records
* Hollywood Records
* Disney Music Publishing

Disney Theatrical Group|

* Disney on Ice
* Disney Theatrical Productions
* Buena Vista Theatrical
* New Amsterdam Theatre

Studio Production Services|

* Golden Oak Ranch
* The Prospect Studios
* Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)
* Disney Studios Australia

Former/defunct units|

* 20th Digital Studio
* Blue Sky Studios
* Caravan Pictures
* Circle Seven Animation
* DIC Entertainment
* Les Studios Tex
* Disneytoon Studios
* Fox 2000 Pictures
* Fox International Productions
* Hollywood Pictures
* ImageMovers Digital
* Marvel Animation
* Miramax
* Dimension Films
* Miramax Family
* Pixar Canada
* Secret Lab
* Skellington Productions
* Touchstone Pictures

Key people|

* Kevin Feige
* Kathleen Kennedy
* Jim Morris
* Thomas Schumacher
* Clark Spencer

Related|

* A&E Films (50%)
* Disney+
* ESPN Films (80%)
* Feld Entertainment
* Ice Follies And Holiday on Ice
* Hulu
* The Muppets Studio
* Hyperion Pictures
* National Geographic Partners (73%)
* New Regency Productions (20%)
* Patagonik Film Group
* Star Studios
* VICE Films (16%)
* Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

* Parent: The Walt Disney Company Marc Brown Studios

* v
* t
* e

Animation industry in Australia

Companies/studios|

| Active|

* Act3animation
* Bogan Entertainment Studios
* Disney Studios Australia
* Ludo Studio
* Animal Logic
* Endemol Shine Australia
* Flying Bark Productions
* Yoram Gross
* Glitch Productions
* Honeydew Studios
* Plastic Wax
* RobotDNA
* SLR Productions
* The People's Republic of Animation
* Working Dog Productions

|

Defunct|

* Burbank Films Australia
* Disney Animation Australia
* Mr. Big Cartoons

Industry
associations|

* Australian Cartoonists' Association
* Screen Producers Australia

Awards|

* Ledger Award
* Stanley Award

Expos|

* Madman Anime Festival
* Supanova Expo

Animation icons|

* Chesty Bond
* Blinky Bill
* Harvie Krumpet
* Pearlie
* Awesome Magical Tales
* Sally Bollywood
* The Day My Butt Went Psycho!
* Bluey
* Erky Perky
* Nate is Late
* The Strange Chores

Related topics|

* Australian Comics
* List of Australian animated films

* v
* t
* e

Sydney landmarks

Buildings / structures|

* Admiralty House
* Archibald Fountain
* Australia Square
* Bankstown Reservoir
* Boothtown Aqueduct
* Cadmans Cottage
* Campbell's Stores
* The Cenotaph
* Central station
* Chifley Tower
* Citigroup Centre
* International Convention Centre
* Deutsche Bank Place
* Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
* El Alamein Fountain
* Finger Wharf
* General Post Office (No. 1 Martin Place)
* Government House
* Governor Phillip Tower
* Hong Kong House
* Hyde Park Barracks
* King Street Wharf
* Kirribilli House
* Long Bay
* Macquarie Lighthouse
* Mint
* Observatory
* Old Government House
* Old Mining Museum Building
* Opera House
* Overseas Passenger Terminal
* Parliament House
* Parramatta Gaol
* Regimental Square
* The Ribbon
* IMAX Sydney
* Queen Victoria Building
* St Andrew's Cathedral
* St Mary's Cathedral
* Sydney Airport
* Sydney Tower
* The Toaster
* Town Hall
* War Memorial
* Warragamba Dam
* White Bay Cruise Terminal
* World Square
* World Tower

Bridges|

* Anzac
* Captain Cook
* Gladesville
* Glebe Island (disused)
* Harbour
* Pyrmont
* Roseville
* Spit
* Tom Uglys

Major centres and localities|

* Central Business District
* Chatswood
* Chinatown
* Kings Cross
* North Sydney
* Parramatta
* Pitt Street Mall
* The Rocks

Urban renewal projects|

* Barangaroo
* Bays Precinct
* Central Park
* Darling Harbour
* Green Square
* Sydney Olympic Park
* Waterloo

Parks and nature|

* Auburn Botanic Gardens
* Balaka Falls
* Balls Head Reserve
* Bents Basin
* Berowra Valley National Park
* Bicentennial Park
* Bland Oak
* Blue Mountains National Park
* Centennial Parklands
* Central Gardens Nature Reserve
* Chinese Garden of Friendship
* Cronulla sand dunes
* Cumberland State Forest
* Farm Cove
* Featherdale Wildlife Park
* Garigal National Park
* Garawarra Conservation Area
* Georges River National Park
* Heathcote National Park
* Hyde Park
* Kamay Botany Bay National Park
* Ku-ring-gai Chase
* Lane Cove National Park
* Macquarie Place
* Paddington Reservoir
* Parramatta Park
* Prospect dolerite intrusion
* Prospect Hill
* Prospect Nature Reserve
* Royal Botanic Garden
* Royal National Park
* Sydney Harbour National Park
* Sydney Park
* The Domain
* Western Sydney Parklands
* Western Sydney Regional Park

Cultural institutions|

* Art Gallery of New South Wales
* Australian Museum
* Australian National Maritime Museum
* Chau Chak Wing Museum
* Harry's Cafe de Wheels
* Manly Art Gallery and Museum
* Museum of Contemporary Art
* Museum of Sydney
* Justice and Police Museum
* Powerhouse Museum
* Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
* State Library
* Sydney Conservatorium of Music
* Sydney Zoo
* Taronga Zoo

Sport|

* Australian Golf Club
* Canterbury Park Racecourse
* Dunc Gray Velodrome
* Lakes Golf Club
* Macquarie Ice Rink
* Randwick Racecourse
* Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
* Royal Sydney Golf Club
* Stadium Australia
* State Sports Centre
* Sydney Cricket Ground
* Sydney Football Stadium
* Sydney International Regatta Centre
* Sydney Motorsport Park
* Sydney Olympic Park
* Athletic Centre
* Aquatic Centre
* Hockey Centre
* Tennis Centre
* Sydney Showground Stadium
* Warwick Farm Racecourse
* Wentworth Park
* Western Sydney International Dragway
* Western Sydney Stadium

Entertainment|

* Capitol Theatre
* Crown Sydney
* Disney Studios Australia
* Entertainment Quarter
* Luna Park
* Lyric Theatre
* Plaza Theatre
* Raging Waters
* Roslyn Packer Theatre
* The Star
* State Theatre
* Sydney SuperDome
* Theatre Royal

Beaches|

* Bondi
* Cronulla
* Manly
* Palm

Islands|

* Bare
* Clark
* Cockatoo
* Fort Denison
* Garden
* Goat
* Rodd
* Shark
* Snapper
* Spectacle

* v
* t
* e

Theme parks and water parks in Australia

Current|

* Adrenalin Park
* Adventure Park
* Adventure World
* Aussie World
* Australiana Pioneer Village
* Big Banana
* Big Splash Waterpark Canberra
* Corin Forest
* Caribbean Gardens
* Disney Studios Australia
* Dreamworld
* Fairy Park
* Funfields
* Gold Coast Aqua Park
* Gold Coast Wake Park
* Gumbuya World
* Jamberoo Action Park
* King Carnival
* Kryal Castle
* Luna Park Melbourne
* Luna Park Sydney
* Magic Mountain, Merimbula
* Paronella Park
* Perth's Outback Splash
* Raging Waters Sydney
* Scenic World
* Sea World
* Sovereign Hill
* The Beachouse
* The Big Buzz
* Timbertown
* Toboggan Hill Park
* Ton O Fun
* Warner Bros. Movie World
* Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast
* WhiteWater World

Proposed|

* Adventura Water Park Resort
* Adventure Waters
* African Safari World
* Paramount Studios Melbourne

Past|

* African Lion Safari
* Bullen's Animal World
* Atlantis Marine Park
* Cairns Waterworks
* Canberry Fair, Canberra
* Cremorne Gardens
* Dazzeland
* Dinosaur World (Creswick)
* Downunderland
* Dreamland
* El Caballo Blanco
* Fantasy Glades
* Fox Studios Australia (now The Entertainment Quarter)
* Greenhills Adventure Park
* Hi-Lite Park
* Leisureland Fair
* Leyland Brothers World
* Luna Park Glenelg
* Luna Park Redcliffe
* Luna Park Scarborough
* Magic Kingdom, Sydney
* Magic Mountain, Glenelg
* Magic Mountain, Nobby Beach
* Manly Fun Pier
* Manly Waterworks
* Miniland, Coonabarabran
* Mount Druitt Waterworks
* Old Sydney Town
* O'Neill's Adventureland
* Paradise Gardens (Sydney)
* Sega World Sydney
* The Great Escape
* Tomteland
* Wanneroo Lion Park
* White City, Perth
* White City (Sydney)
* Wobbies World
* Wonderland Sydney
* World Expo Park

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Australia

33°53′31″S 151°13′43″E﻿ / ﻿33.89202°S 151.22851°E﻿ / -33.89202; 151.22851
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