HBO abandons Days of Abandonment

Well this is awkward…

Just days after the government announced HBO feature Days of Abandonment to film in New South Wales, HBO has cancelled the project entirely.

HBO blamed “unforeseen personal circumstances” for star Natalie Portman’s withdrawal before the start of filming.

It was to shoot with co-stars Rafe Spall & Mary-Louise Parker.

It was to receive support of $3.4m from the federal government’s $540 million Location Incentive program (which won’t proceed without production).

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher had said, “Days of Abandonment will directly create more than 200 jobs for cast and crew, 500 extras roles, and use the services of an estimated 400 businesses across New South Wales when they begin filming in July.”

Alas, this will hit cast and crew hard.

“Unfortunately, the production will not move forward,” HBO said in a statement. “We are very sorry we won’t be able to bring this beautiful story to the screen with our talented writer-director and cast.”

A spokesperson for the minister said no funding had been paid to the movie and the grant would be allocated to other productions.

The abrupt ending follows Netflix halting production on episodes of God’s Favorite Idiot starring Melissa McCarthy at half of its planned 16 episodes.

Source: The Age