Troy filming moves to Mexico

Warner Bros' epic film Troy has completed a successful 10-week shoot in Malta and is now moving on to Mexico for the final two-and-a-half months of filming.

The retelling of Homer's classic tale, the Iliad, featuring the destruction of the city of Troy after a fierce battle between the Greeks and Trojans, is helmed by director Wolfgang Petersen and boasts a stellar cast, including Brad Pitt.

About 480 Maltese nationals were employed with the production for an average of four months on a full-time basis, along with thousands of extras.

As well as a large set built specifically at Fort Ricasoli, several locations around the islands were used, including Mellieha, Comino, Golden Bay, Gnejna Bay, Mtahleb and Hal Far.

Locations in Malta were used to double for ancient Greece, Sparta and Troy.

This project has already obtained a provisional co-production status from Malta and the UK under the European Cinematographic Coproduction Convention.

It is scheduled for release in May 2004, the Malta Film Commission said.