Malta Featured in Variety for Its Growing Film Industry
Malta has once again found itself in the global media spotlight, this time in the prestigious entertainment publication Variety. The article, titled ‘Why Malta Would Be a ‘Dream’ Location for the Next James Bond Movie’, praises Malta’s rising reputation as a go-to filming destination for some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Variety highlights Malta’s appeal to major studios and filmmakers, noting how its ancient villages, crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, and unique architecture are being used to replicate everything from historic Paris to far-off fantasy lands. Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech is quoted sharing his ambition to host a future James Bond film, calling it “a dream” and emphasising the country’s cinematic potential.
“Maybe Malta could play a bigger role in the next one,” Grech said, referring to the James Bond franchise, which previously used Malta only briefly. Grech has already helped bring back director Ridley Scott after 22 years to shoot Gladiator II and Napoleon on the island.
Recent productions such as Enola Holmes 3 and Jurassic World Rebirth have also utilized the island’s resources. The third Enola Holmes film, starring Millie Bobby Brown, was actually set in Malta’s capital Valletta, a rare opportunity to film the country as itself rather than doubling for somewhere else.
Gladiator filmed in Malta
Legendary Entertainment’s executive VP Herb Gains praised Malta’s support, calling the chase scenes through Valletta “one of the biggest set pieces we’ve done in the franchise.” Over 475 local crew members were hired during the production, highlighting Malta’s growing local talent pool.
Grech stated that the industry has generated over a billion Euros in economic activity in the past five years, thanks in part to Malta’s competitive cash rebate, now up to 40%. More than 1,000 locals are now working full-time in film, and a further €1 million is being invested into crew training in high-demand areas like accounting, sound, and camera work.
With studios returning to shoot sequels like Gladiator II and Jurassic World Rebirth, and infrastructure plans for a new soundstage and permanent indoor water tank, Malta is well on its way to becoming not just a dream, but a destination of choice for filmmakers worldwide.
