The iconic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire will be the production home for Amazon Prime Video hits like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Citadel.
The parcels to entertainment company is purchasing the facility in Water Oakley, 25 miles from Central London. The studio is approximately 53,600 square feet and includes five sound stages, 77,400 square feet of workshops, 39,400 square feet of office space, 182,900 square feet of backlot, and 156,000 square feet of parking space.
The first Amazon MGM Studios production to be located at the studio post-acquisition will be the second season of the Russo Brothers’ spy series Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, which is scheduled to begin filming in September 2024.
“With Bray as our creative home in the UK, we are committed to deepening our relationships with the UK creative community, which is rich with world-class storytellers and creative talent of all kinds,” said Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “The acquisition of a studio with such a storied heritage not only empowers us to produce more film and television in the UK, but also unveils a wealth of opportunities in the local community with respect to jobs and skills training at all levels of the production process.”
This purchase is in addition to Amazon’s significant presence at the UK’s Shepperton Studios, where it has a long-term contract for the exclusive use of nine new state-of-the-art sound stages, workshops, and office accommodation, totalling approximately 450,000 square feet.
In its 70 years of operation, Bray Film Studios has provided facilities to movies that include Rocketman and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“For 70 plus years, Bray Studios has held an important place in the history of British film making”, said Frank Burke, Chairman of Bray Film Studios Ltd, the previous owner of the site. “During our period of ownership, I, together with my family and team have witnessed the rebirth of this iconic facility and we are extremely proud of the part we have been able to play in bringing it to renewed prominence.”
Mr Burke said he believed Amazon would preserve the character of the studio while enhancing the first-class creative production spaces for generations of filmmakers to come.
