Limerick City a possible location for $120m movie

A Hollywood producer is considering Limerick as a location to shoot a $120 million science fiction movie.

Philip Lee who produced The Dark Knight, which received eight Oscar nominations, visited Limerick in recent weeks to scout it out as a location for the multimillion dollar production.

The movie, Inversion, is a science-fiction film in which life on earth is threatened by a gradual loss of gravity.

It is due to be directed by Scott Waugh whose last film, Need for Speed, grossed over $200 million since its release last year.

Details of the Hollywood producers visit to Limerick have emerged as Limerick City and Council confirmed it is in advanced negotiations to purchase a former Dell building in Limerick and transform it into a multimillion euro film studio.

Innovate Limerick, a company owned by Limerick City and County Council is close to finalising a deal to purchase the 340,000sq ft building at Plassey Technological Park, near the University of Limerick.

Last November, Limerick City and County Council confirmed plans to work with Ardmore Studios to provide major film productions facilities in Limerick.

The proposed studios are expected to cost up to €10 million and would include the use of the old Dell building in Castletroy, used as The Culture Factory for Limerick City of Culture last year.

A spokesperson for the local authority said discussions to purchase the building are at a “delicate stage”.

It’s understood the visit by four Hollywood movie producers to Limerick in recent weeks has added an urgency to the sale which is down for decision at today’s board meeting of Innovate Limerick.