Vin Diesel developing movie studio in Dominican Republic

Hollywood actor Vin Diesel has signed an agreement to build a film studio in Puerto Plata, in the north of the Dominican Republic, confirms the country’s president, Luis Abinader.

The studios will be built by the production company One Race Films, founded by Vin Diesel, and responsible for the Fast and Furious movie series.

“From #Bergantin, Puerto Plata we want to announce to the country the signing of an agreement for the construction of a film studio under the direction (of) Vin Diesel and One Race Films, Which will consolidate the Dominican film industry and generate thousands of jobs and will boost tourism, “said Abinader on his Twitter account.

The president added after the signing ceremony: “We want Bergantin to go down in history as an integral, innovative and sustainable destination,” Abinader said. “And what better way to integrate the film industry into this new proposal than from the hands of the biggest stars?”

Diesel said he was “proud to be part of the Dominican people and proud of his friendship” with the president.

More details on the studios will be announced in the coming weeks.  

The Dominican Republic is proving to be a hugely popular shooting location attracting some big projects including the Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Reynolds starrer Shotgun Wedding; AGC Studios’ crime thriller Leopard Skin; M Night Shyamalan’s new film Old; and Mark Wahlberg’s adventure Arthur the King.

The Dominican production incentive is a 25% transferable tax credit on local spend that includes any international spend through the Dominican production services partner.

Film commissioner Yvette Marichal is exploring the possibility of a higher incentive with president Abinader.