Liam Neeson’s love of Victoria has continued after the Hollywood star took to the regional areas for his latest film, The Mongoose.
For a man with a very particular set of skills, Liam Neeson has a real affinity for Victoria as the backdrop for his Hollywood blockbusters.
The renowned actor, known for his performances in the Taken series and Schindler’s List, has returned to film his third movie in the state within four years. Previously, Neeson filmed scenes for Blacklight (2020) and Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky (2023) in Victoria, with segments of the latter shot at a Victorian quarry.
In his latest film, The Mongoose, Neeson plays Ryan “Fang” Flanagan, who attempts to clear his name of a crime he didn’t commit while evading police during a televised cross-country car chase, aided by members of his former Special Forces Army battalion.
“I’m honoured to be back in Victoria working on my latest film “The Mongoose” with one of the best crews, again, that I have ever worked with in over 100 movies,” Neeson said.
Parts of The Mongoose were filmed in Bacchus Marsh, Castlemaine, Bangholme, the Melbourne CBD, North Melbourne, Kensington, and Moorabbin. Neeson is working with Code Entertainment’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, and Eugene Musso, who also produced Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky. In that film, the crew transformed Walhalla’s historic gold mining town to resemble a Nepalese village.
“It’s fantastic to see Bacchus Marsh once again in the spotlight, with this major Liam Neeson production bringing jobs, excitement, and a boost to our local businesses,” Eureka MP Michaela Settle said.
Like Neeson’s earlier film set in Victoria, The Mongoose has utilised a local Victorian quarry as its backdrop, despite the challenging weather conditions noted by Rosenblatt.
“Last week, we had a set-up in the quarry, and out of the blue with no warning, the night before, a flash flood and storm came through and 50-kilometre winds, and it blew the entire set away,” he told ABC.
“So we keep adapting … If you don’t like the weather here [in Victoria] just wait five minutes.”
According to the Victorian Government, the latest Hollywood production in Victoria will reportedly create more than 450 jobs for Victorian screen workers and engage 150 local businesses. Neeson’s previous works, Blacklight (2020) and Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky (2023), created more than 1,300 jobs.
“The strengths of Victoria’s screen industry are no secret to Liam Neeson, Al Corley and Bart Rosenblatt. They love Victoria,” VicScreen chief executive officer Caroline Pitcher said.
“They have embraced our exceptional film-making talents and our spirit of innovation, which is benefiting Victorian small businesses and screen workers across the state.”
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