LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its plans to operate an $8.5 billion film studio in Nevada – but only with a film studio tax credit.
Announced on Tuesday, the global media company announced the studio plans as an extension of its collaboration with UNLV and Birtcher Development. The WBD says it will “lease, operate, and fully occupy Nevada Studios.”
Nevada Studios, which will be renamed “Warner Bros. Studios Nevada,” will then serve as the primary studio on the 34-acre campus.
The legislative proposal that WBD’s proposal hinges on was initially introduced and authored by State Senator Roberta Lange (D-LV) during the 2023 legislative session. The bill is expected to be reintroduced at the next regular session of the Nevada State Legislature when it convenes in February 2025.
Sen. Lange said, “When talking with citizens we– more – hear repeatedly that we need to further diversify our southern Nevada economy and at the same time commit the resources to develop our workforce. These are top priorities for us all, and I can proudly say my legislation accomplishes both. It’s safe to say that having a lead partner with the depth of Warner Bros. and its ability to keep the studios full starting from day one is a key difference maker and enables us to successfully meet these two priorities.”
According to WBD, the proposal also seeks to establish film and TV workforce development programs at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research & Technology Park. This will include the planned Nevada Media and Technology Lab, described as a “production and immersive learning facility that will provide both space and industry engagement opportunities for the UNLV film department and other academic departments at the university.”
The proposal will offer these opportunities for both K-12 and higher education partners across the state.
Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Studios, said, “Warner Bros. Discovery is one of the largest producers of scripted and unscripted film and television content in the world spanning general entertainment, animation, lifestyle, and nonfiction. In addition to our best-in-class studios in Burbank, CA, and Leavesden, UK, Warner Bros. Studios Nevada represents a great opportunity to further expand our facilities to accommodate these productions and more in the future. We are fully committed and excited about the potential of a long-term partnership and presence in Nevada and are confident it will be a win/win for the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas community, and WBD as we look ahead to our next 100 years of exceptional storytelling.”
UNLV President Keith Whitfield added, “We are excited to welcome Warner Bros. Discovery to our campus and to our partnership. Together, we can help develop the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers, while reaching new heights in training a young workforce, engaging students of all ages in content creation, and enabling UNLV to become synonymous with other leading film schools across the nation. This is a big moment for UNLV and the State of Nevada.”
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
