World War Z starring Brad Pitt starts shooting in Falmouth

Shooting for the new multi-million pound blockbuster World War Z has kicked off in Falmouth, supported by local film crew from the South West. 

Starring Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt, the Paramount Pictures production will be partially shot onboard a ship from 2-12 August. Open casting for the zombie thriller took place in Truro in July, where five hundred extras were brought on board for the Falmouth-based scenes.

World War Z is based on Max Brooks's best-selling book, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. Set in the near future, it revolves around UN employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) who traverses the world in a race against time to stop the zombie pandemic that is toppling its armies and governments, and threatening to decimate humanity itself. Mireille Enos (The Killing) also stars as Gerry's wife, Karin.

Fiona Francombe, South West Screen Production Services Manager, said: "At South West Screen we work to link up productions with the resources they need, and we have been in close contact with WWZ's production team, local film crew and Falmouth Town Council to help prepare for this complex shoot, which is all the more exciting as it coincides with the busy Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week.

"It's important to remember that this type of production can be a major boost for a local area, with a high volume of crew and cast using local hotels, equipment suppliers, labour and businesses, so we are really pleased to welcome WWZ to Falmouth.

"With its beautiful locations, urban spaces and skilled crew, the South West of England has so much to offer to accommodate high profile shoots like this. I'm glad to say it's not uncommon for these big names to grace our region. Last year we supported the filming of Stephen Spielberg's War Horse, which shot on Dartmoor and in Castle Combe, once again proving how the South West attracts filmmakers from the world over."

Last year, South West Screen registered almost 1,900 filming days in the South West and approximately £56 million inward investment brought into the area by film and television production.  Feature films that have shot in the South West recently include Steven Spielberg's upcoming War Horse, Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go, Stephen Frears' Tamara Drewe and Richard Curtis' The Boat That Rocked.