MOROCCO'S READY FOR ITS CLOSE-UP — NEW MEGA STUDIO RISING WHERE 'GLADIATOR 2' CONQUERED
The Moroccan government is building a sprawling International Cinema City in Ouarzazate—the same desert hotspot that just hosted Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandal epic.
Pack your sunscreen, Hollywood! Morocco is officially rolling out the red carpet for the big leagues. According to Variety, the Moroccan government has launched construction on a massive new film production hub called the International Cinema City, and it's going up in Ouarzazate—the legendary southern Morocco locale that's already proven itself a blockbuster magnet.
The region's bona fides? Pretty stellar. Ouarzazate has become a favorite playground for A-list auteurs looking to shoot sprawling epics, most recently hosting Ridley Scott's "Gladiator 2" production. The dramatic desert landscape and proven infrastructure made it a no-brainer for the swords-and-sandals sequel—and now Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication is doubling down on that momentum.
The International Cinema City is being positioned as a flagship project to turn Ouarzazate into a permanent world-class production hub. Translation: more major releases, more Hollywood talent, and more reasons for studios to say "oui" to filming in North Africa. With a studio that boasts desert vistas AND modern facilities, Morocco's golden moment in the entertainment industry is officially here.
Sources · Variety · Deadline