Is Taiwan getting a Universal Studios? Taichung City is vying for it

▲Most scenes of Ang Lee’s "Life of Pi" were filmed at Taichung Shuinan Airport (Photo / Provided by Fu Bang Art Foundation & 20th Century Fox)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Eric Brevig, a renowned director and visual effects expert known for directing box office hits such as "The Day After Tomorrow," "Pearl Harbor," and "Stuart Little," led a Hollywood team to visit Taichung Mayor Jason Hu on the 21st. He expressed interest in establishing a movie-themed amusement park and film production site in Taiwan, similar to Universal Studios.

Led by Eric Brevig, the group also included well-known film producer Charlotte Ruggins and Yao Kaiyang, the creative director for the China Pavilion and Taiwan Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo. They arrived in Taiwan the day before to scout suitable locations for building a movie theme park. Charlotte Ruggins said they visited filming sites for Ang Lee's "Life of Pi," including Guangfu New Village and the Lin Family Mansion in Wufeng. Most of the scenes were shot at Taichung Shuinan Airport. Coupled with the pleasant climate, all signs show that Taichung has tremendous potential for film development, hence their hope to collaborate with the city.

▲Shuinan Airport has been transformed into the Shuinan Eco-Commerce Park, which will include a Central Taiwan Film Promotion Zone. (Photo /Source: Wikipedia)

Mayor Jason Hu also stated that Taichung is currently promoting a dedicated film theme zone. Shuinan Airport has long been planned as the Shuinan Eco-Commerce Park, within which the cultural and commercial area will house the Central Taiwan Film Promotion Zone. It will preserve the largest wave pool in the world, built to recreate scenes from "Life of Pi," allowing visitors to view it. In addition to plans to turn the Shuinan Eco-Commerce Park into Taiwan’s version of "Universal Studios," the mayor also informed the visiting Hollywood team that they are willing to designate Wufeng as a filming location, hoping to secure opportunities for joint collaboration.