The two Toms are coming to Malta
Double-Oscar winner Tom Hanks is expected to be shooting a film in Malta this year as Hollywood star Tom Cruise’s agents continue to scour the market to buy a mansion on the island, The Sunday Times has learnt.
Mr Hanks will be starring in Captain Phillips, based on the true story of an American captain who was taken hostage by armed Somali pirates, attempted to escape and was eventually rescued by the US Navy. Shooting is expected to start in May.
When contacted, Malta Film Commissioner Peter Busuttil confirmed that a team from the film, directed by Paul Greengrass, was in Malta a fortnight ago for talks with the Commission.
“Malta fits the film location perfectly. But we are still in discussions,” said Mr Busuttil, adding that the production team was also looking at filming in Morocco.
The Malta Film Commissioner could not, however, confirm whether Tom Cruise would be shooting two films in Malta, including the sci-fi We Mortals Are.
Reporting from Los Angeles, Mike Parker quotes a source saying Mr Cruise believes Malta has the right rock and sandscapes to make it the perfect location for the film.
“With two films in which he’s appearing and several other United Artists projects that could use Malta as a location, it’s likely that Cruise and his family could all be staying there for a major part of the year ahead,” said the source.
The Mission Impossible star has set estate agents a daunting task because he wants a living room for meetings that measures 200-square metres.
Mr Cruise has hired Milan-based property experts Allesandro Proto Consulting, which has already helped him find homes in London and Italy, to find a “suitable residence” in Malta.
Mr Busuttil confirmed that representatives from the Italian agency will be visiting Malta at the end of February to find the right property.
“However, so far, there have been no queries about filming in Malta or any incentives we might offer,” Mr Busuttil said.
The actor and his family have already been sent dossiers of some of Malta’s most exquisite properties, although his insistence on a huge lounge are expected to cause a few construction headaches.
Mr Parker quotes a source who has worked closely with Mr Cruise saying: “Tom always wants to buy a new property to his exact specifications, even if that entails knocking down a few walls.”
Mr Cruise reportedly fell in love with Malta last year when he visited Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their six children at Guarena Palace, an 18th century fortress-like villa in Qrendi.
A source said: “Tom likes the idea of having both a vacation home for his family and a permanent working residence in a region noted for its great location backdrops and natural light.”
In what is looking like a busy year for Malta’s film industry, Mr Busuttil said Italian heart-throb Raoul Bova is also expected to start shooting a series in Malta from April called Come un Delfino.
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Lee Roberts
Mar 2nd, 11:37
Malta is such a stunningly beautiful island with a long cultured history. It is such a pity it is being used to make rubbishy hollywood cineplex movies rather than serious films. More must be done to attract quality film-makers from Italy, France and other European countries.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Jan 30th, 07:36
The only 'residence' that might fit Tom's requirements that comes to my mind is the auberge de Castille! I guess they are a spot on premises for a Holiwood actor and the church of Scientology!
And according to local gossip they will be vacated quite soon too!!
m borg
Jan 29th, 21:27
Gej xi referendum iehor lol !
Daniela Zammit
Jan 29th, 21:23
It is a FACT that Tom Cruise NEVER came to visit Brad Pitt in Malta last year. FACT!
If you ask me this is some estate agent's attempt to make Malta's property market look attractive.
Ġ. Agius
Jan 29th, 19:13
While such things are good for our economy, I do hope that their Hollywood excesses and their decidedly bad morals will not brush up on our impressionable Maltese youth. Church attendances are already low as they are, we don't need atheist and foreign religious influences on us.
joseph saliba
Jan 29th, 19:30
Don't you think we're ready for them. Now we can boast of a progressive divorce law.
dingaling rockcliffe
Jan 29th, 19:36
Yes but to you guys money is more important then your church yes? so if i were in your shoes i would grab it with both hands. I am sure there are plenty of other countries to choose from apart from the tiny rock in the med.
Peter Shaw
Jan 29th, 19:46
If your faith is strong you dont have to worry, he he!
Jonathan borg
Jan 29th, 20:06
Are you serious???? Our 'impressionable' youth do not need Tom to have bad morals, we have enough of them in our community!! And church attendances being low is something the church has to work on its own by making church more appeal to youths! To say that atheist and foreign religion influences should not come here is sooooo closed minded!!!
Is the church scared of having to 'compete'?? What happened to free will and freedom of choice???
I think even the church would agree theyd rather have a number of true christians than all the pagans who go to church and cheat, lie, swear and break all the commandments soon after taking holy communion!
Steve Sant
Jan 29th, 19:13
Apparently there is rumour that this property or mansion like it is exaggerated put, would later be donated or used by Scientology to help spread the cause here in Malta too. Thats for gossip on the net.
Frank Camilleri
Jan 29th, 19:03
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.................... xi qrid !!!!!!!!!!! National pastime it seems
Peter Shaw
Jan 29th, 19:02
Good to hear. But film extras should be paid more than they are being paid at the moment!
Daniela Zammit
Jan 29th, 17:53
I wonder how the Curia will react to Cruise holding his global scientology meetings in his 200sqm board room in Malta. This is very exciting!
Scott Thistle
Jan 29th, 15:14
Is it sour grapes or is it simply an aching unhealed heart beating from downunder ?
Steve Diacono
Jan 29th, 12:21
Is this a business opportunity, or a possible threat towards our country... I think we should tread these waters with caution before we get in over our heads.
Daniela Zammit
Jan 29th, 11:50
Vic your comment is so valid. What people do not realise is that a location popular for filming is also popular with tourists. What film directors like should be a sign of a country's aesthetic appeal. So ask yourselves does the film industry and tourism industry beefed up by an untouched Vittoriosa waterfront earn less revenue then those yachts who pay fees to a few private companies?
As for Tom Hank's movie, funny how the film commission appears to be very involved.... why is it that the private sector knew about this movie several weeks before the film commissioner even got wind of it?
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 09:30
The demand for Malta as a shooting location should also be taken into consideration when giving out building and 'development'permits. With the development of Vittoriosa wharf we lost one of the most sought after locations in Malta. The wharf featured in several films like Cut Throat island, The Count of Monte Cristo, Christopher Colombus and Trenchcoat. Now it's a forest of yacht masts which also makes it impossible to take a picture of Vittoriosa let alone shoot a film.
John Zammit-Spiteri
Jan 29th, 10:42
while it is appreciated that your concern is valid but we are in an age where one must use all the resources such a location brings in. Weighing carefully the two options of a yacht marina and a filming location, any one would conclude that the first brings in more revenue in the coffer. but the second is still a good point. one has to use all the resources and think of jobs too.
John Azzopoardi
Jan 29th, 12:17
Believe you me, the film makers always find a way to shoot and or create a location. LIke they did for Gladiator.
Malta, due to it's natural cliffs, bastions and other features, is in itself a movie set location. Even Comino fits nicely in this. As for comments about mepa approving some design specifications to Mr. Cruise liking, maybe, he will come up with a decent proposal that Mepa cannot refuse. Houses in US and Europe are built less haphazaredly then here in Malta. Here in Malta, we have no real planning and everyone builds as they please and you have to look around to see the mess some streets are in - whether in Malta and Gozo.
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 14:32
I agree that a yacht marina brings in the cash but we have plenty of creeks where we can construct these amenities. In fact there are plans to build further marinas in Kalkara creek. Marsascala, Xemxija and other places.while we only had one Vittoriosa wharf with all those magnificent buildings.I still think that we killed a goose that could lay more golden eggs. As for the jobs created at the Vittoriosa waterfront. It was envisaged that over 700 jobs were to be created for the locals. I wonder how many jobs were actually created.
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 19:30
It's true that film directors are able to create film sets where none exist but at what price? Vittoriosa had a whole waterfront of magnificent facades dating back to the knights. There was practically no need to add anything to get a feeling of the age. Gladiator was different. We have no colosseums in Malta so one or part of one had to be constructed.
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 09:27
Mr Parker quotes a source who has worked closely with Mr Cruise saying: “Tom always wants to buy a new property to his exact specifications, even if that entails knocking down a few walls.”
I'm sure MEPA will oblige him!
Mr Slim Bartolo
Jan 29th, 10:54
G'day Malta :----Its a well know fact throughout europe that in Malta money talks and with mepa is not what you know but who you know.. g'day from downunder where life is worth living. work it out for yourselves. BrucieDBarbarian.
dingaling rockcliffe
Jan 29th, 14:54
I am quite sure your comment is reflecting precisely what Mr.Aussie Slim is saying....Money talks Sport, so i think yes MEPA will defintly oblige, however for all trhe pother unfortunate Maltese are not as well off as Mr.Crusie, its tough luck i guess.