Quarry backdrop for film remake

Sam Worthington will be in Llanberis for filming

The film crew remaking the Hollywood blockbuster Clash of the Titans have chosen a quarry in north Wales for some of its scenes.

And it is expected to bring a cash boost to the Gwynedd area.

The new film is a remake of the 1981 mythological epic which starred Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith.

Around 300 film crew members are expected to stay in the Llanberis area and £50,000 has been paid to go towards community projects.

A spokesman for the Wales Screen Commission (WSC) said it was "fantastic news" that the makers of Clash of the Titans have chosen to film a large part of their feature in Wales.

"This will bring obvious financial benefits to the local area and hopefully raise the global profile of Wales," he said.

Local companies

The WSC met with the location manager of Clash of the Titans to help decide on locations, as well as providing information on local firms to assist in filming.

"This summer's shooting schedule will utilise local labourers, security firms, haulage agents, an industrial unit, office space and portable cabins," the spokesman added.

The WSC estimate around 300 crew will be staying in local hotels during the height of filming.

The film's lead figure, Perseus, who will be played by Terminator 4 star Sam Worthington, will be the only main actor to film in Llanberis.

Bond movie actors Gemma Arterton and Mads Mikkelsen also star in the film, along with Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.

Two Bond stars will also feature in the film

First Hydro has been paid £50,000 by the film company for the location near Dinorwig power station - money that will be ploughed into community projects.

It is not the first time the often dramatic former quarry areas of Gwynedd have been used as movie backdrops.

First Hydro's director of marketing, Kevin Dibble, said a number of companies approached them each year for permission to use the land.

He said this film was one of the most significant bids that had come in, and the company had agreed to it following consultation with community groups.

"It is good news for the area's economy, and will raise its profile," he said.

"One of the commitments we wanted from the film company was that they use local suppliers... it's a good thing, and we wish them well," he added.

The film has also been welcomed by Gwynedd council.

Councillor Dewi Lewis, who leads on Economy and Community said: "Over the years, Gwynedd has been the backdrop to a number of big screen classics, from the legendary Inn of the Sixth Happiness to modern blockbusters like First Knight to the Tomb Raider sequel Cradle of Fire.

"It is great to see that big-budget filming is returning to Gwynedd with Clash of the Titans and providing a timely boost to the local economy in the process."