Tom Cruise is coming to Dubai. Or rather, the next installment of the US actor's Mission: Impossible series is set to be filmed in the emirate.
As The National reported in August, location scouts from Paramount held lengthy meetings with film executives in Dubai to discuss the possibility of shooting part of Mission: Impossible IV in the UAE.
According to a statement issued today by the Dubai Government Media Office, those meetings were a success.
"Preparations for filming in Dubai have been agreed with the production company, Paramount, following two months of meetings and location scouting by the concerned technical teams. Actual filming of the project, that will attract more than 400 industry professionals, is expected to commence within a few weeks," the statement said.
"Filming in Dubai would be the longest among other international cities that will feature in MI4. The city is expected to play host to the film crews and stars over a period of at least three weeks."
Key to this is the "400 industry professionals" who will descend on Dubai to make the film. As is discussed here, the development of the UAE's movie industry depends on government incentives to attract big studios and international talent.
But it's also about encouraging local filmmakers. Thankfully, at least one UAE-based film company is believed to be involved in the shooting of MI4. And it will be the involvement of local talent - and not just the presence of Tom Cruise - that will help build a more sustainable film industry in the UAE.