Will A Major Comic Book Movie Be Filmed In Michigan?

LANSING (WWJ) - There's buzz that a major blockbuster movie may soon be filmed in Michigan.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, says the $50 million set aside in this year's budget for Michigan's film incentives will help create jobs in the state.

"We'll have some of the biggest projects we've ever had in Michigan, rivaling that of  'Oz: The Great and Powerful'," Richardville told WWJ's Charlie Langton.

"Oz," which was filmed in Pontiac, grossed almost $500 million worldwide.

So, what will Michigan's next big movie be?

"All I'll tell you is that it could be, it might be, based on a comic book character. That's all I'm going to say," Richardville said.

Meantime, producers of the yet-untitled Transformers sequel, which will be shot in Metro Detroit, has been holding casting calls.

According to the Michigan Film Office figures released last month, in fiscal year 2013, 19 projects have been awarded a total of $33,078,203 on $127,566,757 of approved production expenditures for the year.  These projects are expected to create 1,376 Michigan hires with a full-time equivalent of 599 jobs.

The MEDC Film Review Committee, comprised of senior MEDC staff including the Michigan Film Commissioner, reviews all completed film incentives applications using the statute to guide approval decisions. The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan's own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan. (Get information HERE).