Filming for the highly anticipated sci-fi action movie War Machine has officially commenced in Australia. The film stars Alan Ritchson, widely known for his role in Reacher, and follows a team of Army Rangers undergoing a rigorous selection program. 

The movie, directed and co-written by Patrick Hughes, will be shot across various locations in Victoria, Australia, and additional scenes are set to be filmed in New Zealand later this year.

Ritchson, who has quickly risen to prominence as a leading action star, recently finished shooting Reacher season 3 and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, directed by Guy Ritchie. His latest project, War Machine, will feature a strong ensemble cast, including Dennis Quaid, Stephen James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, and Australian actors Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale and Daniel Webber.

Filming locations include the Victorian towns of Bright and Myrtleford, as well as Melbourne’s Docklands Studios. Production is expected to run through December, with additional filming in New Zealand in November and December. War Machine will be released in Australian theaters via Roadshow Films before premiering worldwide on Netflix.

The movie is set to make a significant economic impact in Victoria. Supported by VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Initiative, the production is projected to create approximately 2,100 jobs and inject A$43 million (around $49 million) into the local economy. This boost underscores the importance of the film not just as a blockbuster project but also as a vital contributor to the state’s film industry.

In War Machine, Ritchson plays an Army Ranger navigating an intense selection program, while Quaid and Morales will take on roles as commanding officers. The movie’s sci-fi elements remain largely undisclosed, but it is expected to feature action-packed sequences and suspenseful drama against the backdrop of its Australian setting.

War Machine is also the first project produced under Patrick Hughes new company, Huge Film. Co-written by James Beaufort and produced by Greg McLean, the film marks a major milestone for Hughes and his team. As filming continues, more details about the storyline and plot are expected to emerge, adding to the anticipation surrounding this mysterious sci-fi adventure.

The film’s production in Australia signals its broader significance beyond the entertainment sector, reflecting both local and global interest in high-budget, star-driven projects filmed in the region.