It's possible that Ryan Reynolds may have been scouting for gaffers when he dropped in on a journalism class at Toronto's Seneca College last month. The Ontario government has confirmed that the actor's production and advertising company Maximum Effort is building a 1.2 million-square-foot production studio in Markham.
Neil Lumsden, the provincial minister of tourism, culture and sport, said during a recent Question Period that Reynolds's investment highlights the sense of confidence in Ontario's "thriving" film industry.
"There is a very large — might I say 'massive' — production studio being built, 1.2 million square feet, in Markham, Ontario," Lumsden confirmed [via CP24]. "It's being done by a gentleman who grew up in Canada and who is a star in the film industry: Ryan Reynolds."
Lumsden continued, "Let me tell you: 2022 was the best year ever. Hard to believe, but that goes to show you what a great industry it is. It is thriving… I don't like to say numbers but I will say it's over $3 billion back into the economy. That's 46,000 jobs."
According to new statistics from government agency Ontario Creates, 2022 saw a "record-breaking" $3.15 billion amassed from film and television production.
Little else is known about the latest business venture from Maximum Effort, which Reynolds co-founded and leads with George Dewey, but it's one of the first projects for a $1.5 billion private-equity fund that will focus on sports, real estate, venture capital and media. Markham-based real-estate development firm Watford Group is said to be helping to raise the capital.
"Maximum Effort has grown in ways and directions that we've never imagined," the actor said in a statement [via Variety]. "To be launching a fund and building a 1.2 million-square-foot studio facility in Ontario is both mind-boggling and humbling. Regardless, I'm excited to expand our storytelling capabilities in new directions and to bring more production work to Ontario."
It seems like the Vancouver-born star has developed quite a bit of interest in Ontario these days, as he's reportedly also in the running to buy the Ottawa Senators.
Last month, Reynolds aided in the heavy task of inducting his "unredeemable" pals Nickelback into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the JUNO Awards.
Neil Lumsden, the provincial minister of tourism, culture and sport, said during a recent Question Period that Reynolds's investment highlights the sense of confidence in Ontario's "thriving" film industry.
"There is a very large — might I say 'massive' — production studio being built, 1.2 million square feet, in Markham, Ontario," Lumsden confirmed [via CP24]. "It's being done by a gentleman who grew up in Canada and who is a star in the film industry: Ryan Reynolds."
Lumsden continued, "Let me tell you: 2022 was the best year ever. Hard to believe, but that goes to show you what a great industry it is. It is thriving… I don't like to say numbers but I will say it's over $3 billion back into the economy. That's 46,000 jobs."
According to new statistics from government agency Ontario Creates, 2022 saw a "record-breaking" $3.15 billion amassed from film and television production.
Little else is known about the latest business venture from Maximum Effort, which Reynolds co-founded and leads with George Dewey, but it's one of the first projects for a $1.5 billion private-equity fund that will focus on sports, real estate, venture capital and media. Markham-based real-estate development firm Watford Group is said to be helping to raise the capital.
"Maximum Effort has grown in ways and directions that we've never imagined," the actor said in a statement [via Variety]. "To be launching a fund and building a 1.2 million-square-foot studio facility in Ontario is both mind-boggling and humbling. Regardless, I'm excited to expand our storytelling capabilities in new directions and to bring more production work to Ontario."
It seems like the Vancouver-born star has developed quite a bit of interest in Ontario these days, as he's reportedly also in the running to buy the Ottawa Senators.
Last month, Reynolds aided in the heavy task of inducting his "unredeemable" pals Nickelback into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the JUNO Awards.
