Extraction 2: Chris Hemsworth says production shouldn’t have moved to Prague

Actor Chris Hemsworth has said production of the Netflix action film Extraction 2 should never have moved from Sydney to Prague, arguing that Australia is better placed to shoot Hollywood movies than Europe hit by Covid.

The highly anticipated sequel to 2020 Extraction – which became Netflix’s most-streamed original film upon release – was slated to be shot in the port city, but producers decided in August to move to the Czech Republic.

There were apparently concerns at the time about the Covid-19 lockdowns in NSW and the possibility of the set being shut down due to a virus outbreak.

Hemsworth, who reprizes his role as black ops mercenary Tyler Rake in Extraction 2, said on Monday it was a bad idea in hindsight, after the Czech Republic saw an increase in Covid cases that continues to put the strain on testing the hospital system.

The country reported 20,315 new cases of Covid on November 27, which is actually a drop in daily cases. On the same day the week before, the nation of 10.7 million people – of which only 58% are vaccinated – reported 22,957 new cases.

Government responded by tightening restrictions on unvaccinated people

In contrast, NSW recorded 208 new cases of Covid and no deaths on Monday, with the low death rate likely the result of a very high vaccination rate.

Meanwhile, life goes on normally for many Sydney residents despite the new Omicron strain spreading throughout the community.

Hemsworth, 38, said on the Today show: “This movie was originally supposed to shoot in Sydney, but it was tricky with the blockages and so on, and then we moved to Prague.

“But yeah, Covid cases are pretty prevalent here and so that’s … we’re thinking now, you know, maybe it was better to stay [in Australia] but it was not my choice.

Hemsworth, 38, said on the Today show: “This movie was originally supposed to shoot in Sydney, but it was tricky with the blockages and so on, and then we moved to Prague. But the cases of Covid are quite prevalent here and so we think now, you know, maybe it was better to stay [in Australia] but it was not my choice. Left: Hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys

Hemsworth told hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys he was frustrated with the NSW lockdowns when the decision to move Extraction was made.

But he acknowledged that the state government made the right decision to impose restrictions when it did.

“At the time, I was really thinking, ‘Ah, you know, enough blockages,’ but you go somewhere else and you’re like, ‘Actually, we’re doing a really good job at reducing the effects. said.

The highly anticipated sequel to 2020 Extraction – which became Netflix’s most-streamed original film upon release – was supposed to be shot in the port city, but producers decided in August to move to the Czech Republic. Pictured: Hemsworth in the extraction

Australia was a magnet for Hollywood filmmakers hoping to escape America’s Covid crisis last year.

But the country’s golden age of cinema came to an end in mid-2021, as productions left ship due to Australia’s strict lockdowns and border closures.

As the Variety industry bible reported in September, Australia’s appeal had “weakened” among Hollywood producers due to the country’s low vaccination rate – at the time – and the uncontrollable spread of the Delta variant.

Several film and television productions left Australia earlier this year due to lockdowns, border restrictions and Covid-zero prime ministers. Pictured: Natalie Portman, who left Australia in August after withdrawing from her film Days of Abandonment

While filming is technically considered “essential work” in Australia, many productions have struggled to navigate complicated health regulations and border closures.

“Juggling border restrictions, authorized worker lists and changing local rules is becoming too inconvenient for large film crews,” the Variety report says.

In August, production of the HBO film Days of Abandonment shut down in Sydney after lead actress Natalie Portman quit for “unforeseen personal reasons.”

Netflix bailed out Australian production of Melissa McCarthy’s series God’s Favorite Idiot (pictured) in June, after filming eight of the 16 episodes

The Los Angeles-based star fled Sydney with her family days later, shortly before new Covid restrictions were applied.

Netflix bailed out Australian production of Melissa McCarthy’s series God’s Favorite Idiot in June, after filming eight of the 16 episodes.

In August, Netflix interrupted filming of Extraction 2, moving from Sydney to Prague.

Insiders told Variety the decision to change location was due to strict Covid-19 closures in New South Wales.

While filming is technically considered “essential work” in Australia, many productions have struggled to navigate complicated health regulations and border closures. Pictured: Chris Hemsworth, whose movie Extraction 2 moved from Sydney to Prague in August

Despite the disaster, Screen NSW remained optimistic about the future of the Australian film industry.

“Contrary to what is claimed, there is no exodus of international films from NSW due to the current Covid-19 situation,” a spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph on September 16.

Australian Film boss Kate Marks offered a pragmatic response to the industry’s decline, saying: “We have always known that the global environment would balance out at some point and become as competitive as it is. before Covid. ”

“So it’s no surprise to us to see other territories opening up and coming back online and making it competitive,” Ms. Marks added.