Ryan Reynolds Wraps 6 Underground
by Staff
(December 12, 2018 – Toronto, ON) You’ll often hear the word gruelling applied to filmmaking. It doesn’t look so hard when it’s all cut and scored but imagine shooting the final scenes of a feature on a schedule that demands 24 locations in just 27 days. That’s what Ryan Reynolds just accomplished when his new film 6 Underground wrapped principal photography in Abu Dhabi.
Filming began in Italy on August 20, utilizing locations in Florence, Siena, Taranto and Rome before moving to the United Arab Emirates. Production continued in Abu Dhabi on November 12 and that’s when things really picked up. 6 Underground shot at sites in Al Ain, Liwa and Ras Al Khaimah before completing principal photography in the Abu Dhabi City Centre on December 5. In total, 24 locations were used during the course of the 27 day shoot in Abu Dhabi. Phew.
Based on an original idea from the same writers who gifted us with Deadpool, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, 6 Underground is an action-adventure directed by Michael Bay and starring Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Corey Hawkins, Adria Arjona, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy, Lior Raz, Payman Maadi and Dave Franco.
“Making this movie was an experience I will never forget,” said Ryan Reynolds. “I was impressed with the local crew and artisans we’ve met throughout our journey. Together we’ve made an exciting movie with equal parts action and humor that will appeal to a diverse audience.”
6 Underground is produced for Netflix by Skydance Media’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, along with Michael Bay and Ian Bryce. Garrett Grant, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Matthew Cohan executive produce, with JJ Hook, Michael Kase and Marco Valerio Pugini co-producing. The production team also includes director of photography Bojan Bazelli; production designer Jeffrey Beecroft; editors Roger Barton, William Goldenberg, and Calvin Wimmer; stunt coordinators Greg Smrz and Kenny Bates; fight coordinator Andy Cheng; special effects supervisor Terry Glass; visual effects supervisor Richard Hoover; and costume designer Jany Temime.
“The UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, has provided diverse backdrops that have added to the richness of our production,” said director Michael Bay. “I look forward to returning to the UAE in the future to spend time exploring all that the country has to offer.”
“This has been a fast-paced and dynamic production, and Netflix and Skydance have been fantastic partners,” he added. “I couldn’t be more appreciative. I especially want to thank my incredible cast and crew for their hard work and devotion to this project.”
The production worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Film Commission which offers a 30% rebate on production spend in Abu Dhabi as well as twofour54, which provided full production services, including location assistance, securing permits and suppliers as well as catering, accommodation and travel.
H.E. Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO of Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi and twofour54, said: “We are now a destination of choice for major film productions, many of whom have traveled thousands of miles to benefit from Abu Dhabi’s striking scenery, pool of talent and welcoming environment. We strive to provide a seamless experience to filmmakers, so they can focus on crafting their unique stories. Assisting Netflix to smoothly film 6 Underground across 24 locations over 27 days is testament to our ability to strategically manage highly complex projects to a tight deadline.”
6 Underground is now in post-production in the United States and is slated for release on Netflix in 2019.
Pictured from left to right above is Ben Hardy; Corey Hawkins; Mélanie Laurent; Adria Arjona; Producer Ian Bryce; Manuel Garcia-Rulfo; HE Maryam Eid Al Mheiri, CEO, Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi and twofour54; Director Michael Bay; Ryan Reynolds; HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development Chairwoman, Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54; HE Saif Mohamed AL Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Economic Development and a member of the Executive Council; HE Major General Staff Pilot Stephen Toumajan, Commander and Senior Aviation Advisor for the Joint Aviation Command (JAC).
