German studio tackles ’80 Days’

Filming has started in Germany’s historic Babelsberg studios outside Berlin on a new version of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days.”

The movie, starring Jim Broadbent, Jackie Chan and Kathy Bates, is being directed by Frank Coraci (“The Waterboy”). It’s the first large-scale Hollywood production to be shot at the studio, and with costs running around $100 million, it’s estimated to be one of the most expensive films ever made in Germany.

The 1956 film won five Oscars, including best picture.

Founded in 1917, Babelsberg was home to prewar stars such as Marlene Dietrich and Fritz Lang. After World War II, it fell on the communist side of Berlin and became the main studio for the former East Germany. Roman Polanski’s World War II drama, “The Pianist,” which won three Oscars this year, also was filmed there.

From Associated Press