David Y. Ige

Collaboration between DBEDT/State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, the U.S. Navy and National Guard instrumental in landing production in Hawaii

HONOLULU — The State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu are officially part of the Marvel Universe, as the newest Marvel television series, “Marvel’s Inhumans,” for ABC launches a new model in television history.  For the first time ever, a version of the first two episodes, produced in conjunction with ABC Studios and shot entirely with IMAX® cameras, will premiere exclusively in IMAX® theatres for a two-week window beginning Sept. 1, 2017. ABC plans to then premiere the weekly series in the fall, with additional exclusive content that can only be seen on the network. The project is estimated to employ 150 local residents and utilize the services of dozens of local businesses, as part of the team that will bring this long-anticipated series to life.

“We are thrilled that Disney|ABC and Marvel have made the decision to film in Hawaii, which will not only create jobs and contribute to our local economy, but showcase the need to expand our infrastructure in the creative and film sectors,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria.  “The filming of this unique and innovative television project here in Hawaii is the perfect complement to our overall growth strategy, which includes diversifying our economy by growing our creative sector.”

Key to the decision to choose Hawaii as the location, the production required a large studio space, underscoring the need for the State of Hawaii to expand stages to increase production opportunities. With the Hawaii Film Studio being occupied with Hawaii 5-0, DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division facilitated a licensing agreement with Navy Region Hawaii and Navy Facilities Engineering Command to secure the former military warehouse facilities for the production of “Marvel’s Inhumans.” The space was transformed into a complete studio production lot in West Oahu. The collaboration between agencies to secure this project extends to City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Film Office, the U.S. Navy and National Guard.

The production hired locally based crew members, from camera to art departments, who have worked in entry-level positions on past productions, including ABC’s “Lost,” and now qualify to move up the ladder to a higher position.

“It is extremely gratifying to see these opportunities for Hawaii’s stellar professional crew base, as well as seeing the production open doors to new interns who want to hone their skills in the media industries,” said Georja Skinner, division chief for DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division, which oversees the Hawaii Film Office operations. “Marvel’s Inhumans” is a critical milestone in our media industry development, as it showcases the need for future infrastructure and workforce development to grow the industry statewide.”

Honolulu Film Commissioner Walea Constantinau is enthusiastic about what this means for the City & County of Honolulu. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Marvel universe and an integral part of such a groundbreaking show.  Oahu has been at the forefront of innovative television from being the first place to host a show being shot entirely on location, the original ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ and the home to a series credited with bringing drama back to television, ‘Lost.’  This new series takes it to another level and we are excited to be part of television history in the making.  The immediate economic boost and long term film tourism impacts will greatly benefit our community.”

“With the unique landscape and backdrop, Hawaii is an ideal place to film this innovative series,” said Mary Ann Hughes, vice president of film and television production planning for Walt Disney Studios.  “The location and incentives were key factors in our decision to bring this new series to the Aloha State.”

“Working in Hawaii is like no place else on Earth. The incredible locations, from the beaches to the city to historical landmarks like Diamond Head, our production has been treated to a visual feast. The people, the culture, the food, the weather — they all add to what makes “Marvel’s Inhumans” a unique storytelling experience. Aloha!”
said Jeph Loeb, executive producer and head of Marvel Television.

The Inhumans are a race of superhumans with diverse and singularly unique powers.  The characters were first introduced in Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965. Since that time, they have grown in prominence and become some of the most popular and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe. “Marvel’s Inhumans” will explore the never-before-told epic adventure of Black Bolt and the royal family.

“Marvel’s Inhumans” is executive produced by Scott Buck (“Dexter,” “Marvel’s Iron Fist”) along with Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” “Marvel’s Luke Cage”) and Jim Chory (“Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” “Marvel’s Luke Cage”) with Buck serving as showrunner.  Roel Reine (“The Delivery,” “Black Sails”) will direct the first two episodes. This series is a Marvel and IMAX project and is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Studios.

About Creative Industries Division (cid.hawaii.gov) and Hawaii Film Office (filmoffice.hawaii.gov)

The Creative Industries Division (CID), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), is the State’s lead agency focused on strengthening, advocating and accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s creative clusters. Comprised of the Hawaii Film Office (HFO) and the Arts and Culture Development Branch (ACDB), CID acts as a business advocate supporting workforce, policy and infrastructure development. Since 1978 the Hawaii Film Office has served as the central point of contact for all film production, administering the production tax credit program for film, facilitates that statewide film permitting program, and runs the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head, the only state owned and operated facility of its kind in the country.

About the Honolulu Film Office (www.filmhonolulu.com)

Established in 1993, the Honolulu Film Office is a part of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development team, situated in the Office of the Managing Director.  The Honolulu Film Office, under the direction of its founding Film Commissioner Walea Constantinau, is dedicated to assisting with the development and growth of the film industry on Oahu; marketing Oahu as a premiere on-location destination to the global film community; is the one-stop shop for film inquiries and permitting for City and County of Honolulu jurisdictions; and works closely with the Oahu Visitors Bureau and tourism partners on Destination Marketing Through Film initiatives.

About Disney|ABC Television Group

Disney|ABC Television Group is comprised of The Walt Disney Company’s global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations group, and radio business.  This includes ABC Studios, a global leader in the development, production and distribution of entertainment content across broadcast, cable and on-demand platforms; the ABC Owned Television Stations Group; and the ABC Television Network, which provides entertainment and news programming to viewers via more than 200 affiliated stations across the U.S.  It also includes Disney Channels Worldwide, a portfolio of 116 kid-driven, family-inclusive entertainment channels, including Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, and Radio Disney brands, as well as cable network Freeform, which targets Millennials. Disney|ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution and Disney Media Distribution round out the portfolio. Disney|ABC Television Group also has equity interests in A+E Networks and Hulu.

About Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Television

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.

Marvel Television develops and produces some of the world’s most creative and popular live-action and animated programming for broadcast and cable television networks plus digital platforms including a historic deal with NETFLIX. Its portfolio of self-produced series includes “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” for ABC,”Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Luke Cage,” and the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” for NETFLIX and “Marvel’s Avengers” and “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” for Disney XD.  Marvel is a co-producer on “Legion” (FX).  Marvel Television’s upcoming projects include “Marvel’s Iron Fist and the culminating Marvel’s The Defenders” for NETFLIX as well as “Marvel’s The Punisher” (NETFLIX), “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” (Freeform), and “Marvel’s Runaways” (Hulu). For more information, visit marvel.com.  © 2016 MARVEL

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of Dec. 31, 2016, there were 1,215 IMAX theatres (1,107 commercial multiplexes, 16 commercial destinations and 92 institutions) in 75 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, IMAX Is Believing® and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IMAXUSCA), Twitter (www.twitter.com/IMAX)and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

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Media Contacts:

 

Christine Hirasa
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 587-9006
Mobile: (808) 286-9017
Email: [email protected]

Website: dbedt.hawaii.gov

 

Walea Constantinau

City & County of Honolulu Film Office

Phone: (808) 768-6108

Mobile: (808) 222-7466

Email:  [email protected]