The Matrix to Shut Down Sydney, Australia

The producers of the two Matrix sequels are pulling out all the stops for their fast-paced, fantastic feat-filled film franchise [sorry about that].

Having already filmed what are braggedly the "greatest car chases ever" back in California, the Wachowski brothers are prepared to shut down a large part of the bustling city of Sydney, Australia for two days this July. News.com.au reports that the producers are currently in talks with the Premier\'s Department, the Environment Protection Authority and State Transit to finalize the arrangement.

The movie segment that will require Sydney\'s cooperation is a daring helicopter spectacle for The Matrix Reloaded, which opens in 2003. A chopper will be required to fly through the east side of the city below roof-top level – at times less than 600 feet above the ground. The entire film sequence is 14 minutes long and has taken months to plan. The producers claim that it will prove to be "the most complicated sequence ever," with cameras in the helicopter to provide a bird\'s-eye-view of the action.

Since the set is off-limits to the public, pedestrian and vehicular traffic will have to be blocked off for several of the city\'s major thoroughfares. Some office buildings may also have to be evacuated. The producers are currently negotiating the price of this "rental" as well as the cost of insuring the city\'s private and public property.

The film crews will pick two July weekends on which to accomplish the shooting, in order to minimize their impact on the city\'s business, which must go on. Lord Mayor Frank Sartor does not think that business owners will be inconvenienced by the weekend schedule.

----------------------------------------

This sounds completely awesome. Can\'t wait to see it.

Well, it sounds very impressive... but wouldn\'t a 14 minute
helicopter scene be a bit tooooo long, uhhh boring ? :rolleyes:

I think The Matrix: Reloaded will be anything but boring.

Yea, it\'s The Matrix man, have faith. I remember the long ass bombing sequence in Pearl Harbor, that was awesome.

[videoholic]

Or the gun battle at the end of Heat.

Awe, what a movie.  I need to go watch that again.

I almost cry after reading your post ##Racer##, Matrix is my favourite film, and after see some footage from the sequels... ahhh :o :o  Can I spent this summer in your home?

Originally posted by Knotter8
Well, it sounds very impressive... but wouldn\'t a 14 minute
helicopter scene be a bit tooooo long, uhhh boring ? :rolleyes:

well think about it, they aint gonna put it in if its gonna be boring, it aint just gonna be of the helicopter flying.. there will be stuff happening while it happens




but yea i loved the first film, cant wait for the sequals.....

Damn, shuttin\' down a whole town for one scene. Not bad at all. First movie was pretty damn good in itself, already seen the movie trailer for the movie (Star Wars, rah), and I must say, it looked pretty good.

And remember when Racer said he was leaving? Wow, that seems like Years ago. Yeah.

See Yuz.

Originally posted by kopking




well think about it, they aint gonna put it in if its gonna be boring, it aint just gonna be of the helicopter flying.. there will be stuff happening while it happens




but yea i loved the first film, cant wait for the sequals.....

Ok, I imagine it\'s gonna be a heavy action sequence....but
even so - 14 minutes ! geez. Do you remember the action
sequence in Tomorrow never dies where Bond and that asian
girl try to evade the chopper in that town on a bike ?
I thouht that was fairly long already... it was 5 minutes at most I guess. I can\'t imagine how they\'re gonna keep the audience focussed at a 14 min action sequence  On the other hand, if they succeed
at such a thing I\'m happy !:cool:

[videoholic]

Shutting a few blocks down on the weekend isn\'t that bad.  In business districts they are usually dead on the weekends anyway.  Still very expensive though.  I bet Sydney is going to cash in big time.

A little off subject, but hey Racer, why do all the shops and stores in Australia close early...? Like 6 oclockish?

Most major shopping malls in Melbourne and Sydney are open 24hrs usually. 6 o\'clock is when most suburban malls close though.

As for the scene being boring, I highly doubt it. I mean, when they say 14 mins action alot, its not just going to be of a helecopter going in and out of buildings, theres bound to be a chase, and some bombs, and some big bad ass explosions. Just you wait, its gonna rock.

Its gonna be very expense. This actually made the late night news last night. Could cost in excess of 18 Million just for this one scene.

**** yo, I would hide out in a stall on like the 34th floor or a building or in an office somehwere or a closet and watch the whole thing unfold from inside!

[MPTheory]

I cant wait till this one comes out.  I loved the first one... I wonder if it will have any suprises like the first one.  I\'m thinking that might be kind of hard to beat. I dunno though.  Im sure its going to be huge when it comes out.  Do you think it will do as well as Spiderman???  haha

Originally posted by Videoholic
Or the gun battle at the end of Heat.

Awe, what a movie.  I need to go watch that again.

They filmed that gun battle right down the street from my office building.  I walk across that street corner almost every day, and it still gives me the chills.  That scene was very realistic, but the layout of the streets and buildings is not exactly they way it\'s implied by the movie.