Michael 2, Last Friday lead 35 films backed by California tax credits
Michael 2, the sequel to Lionsgate's Michael Jackson biopic Michael, and Last Friday, New Line's sequel to Friday, will film in California with state support.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on 7 October that 35 feature films had been selected for California tax credits in the latest funding round, according to his office Governor's Office. Lionsgate's Michael follow-up headlined the batch, according to TheWrap.
The credits cut the amount a production owes in state tax when it spends and hires locally. The state expects the 35 films to generate $1.08 billion in spending in California and to employ almost 30,000 cast, crew and background performers, as reported by Deadline.
The money spreads widely. An untitled Pixar project received $40.1 million, the largest single award in the round. Michael 2 received $30.8 million, the second largest allocation listed by Deadline.
Most of the slate sits outside the studio system. Twenty-eight of the 35 titles are independent productions. The list also includes a new project from filmmaker Mike Mills, alongside the two high-profile sequels, according to Deadline.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Familiar franchises return for local labour and stage space, while independent producers take the bulk of the slots. For fans, this means more location work in Los Angeles and across the state, not just studio lots.
