The Empire strikes Melbourne as film crews take over Swanston Street

2 months ago 5

It isn’t often that a Melbourne tram drives past fleet of New York City taxis, but movie magic has made it happen this Tuesday night.

The corner of Swanston and Collins streets has been transformed into downtown Manhattan for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as shooting on the big-budget Hollywood film Empire City continues.

Collins Street has always had a Paris end, but on Tuesday night it became New York.

Dozens of extras, one of them wearing an “I Heart NY” shirt strode time and time again down Collins Street, which has been renamed West 53rd Street for this production.

Meanwhile, on Fifth Avenue (Swanston Street) a maze of bikes, lenses and technical equipment occupied the Town Hall concourse.

A new truck and a Bearcat were among the massive props brought into the area for the shoot.

Little Collins Street has become West 52nd Street, and is currently impassible as a crane with two massive search lights illuminate the film set from above.

It’s understood Swanston Street will close to trams after 9pm, so street scenes can be filmed.

The Town Hall itself will feature in some scenes in the production.

Starring leading man Gerard Butler, the film will follow a New York fireman who, along with his team and policewoman wife, tries to free hostages from an iconic New York building.

Cameron Tampion was one of hundreds of Melburnians fascinated by the scene on Tuesday night.

While many stumbled upon the scene unintentionally, Tampion had heard the street would be closed in advance, and swung past on his way home from work.

“It’s really great for the CBD when things like this are happening,” Tampion said, noting most people didn’t seem to mind the disruption.

He said he was much more likely to see a film if it was shot in Melbourne.

Government agency Vicscreen estimates the film will create more than 1200 jobs, engage 600 businesses and inject $35 million into Victoria’s economy during the length of production, which will also make use of the film studios in Docklands.

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