Russell Crowe brings film crew and a Hemsworth to Kiama

Crowe's latest project is expected to also star Liam Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky.

The southern part of the region remains clear of COVID-19 cases and without strict lockdown restrictions, a welcome opportunity for film producers.

A large entourage was seen arriving via helicopter to a prestige property near Bare Bluff yesterday, one day after Crowe tweeted a photo of an idyllic grassy seascape with the caption "Shooting in Kiama. What a beautiful place".

It's believed Hemsworth may have been among the A-Listers wearing COVID-safe masks upon landing.

Crowe's next major project is the action thriller Poker Face by Arclight Films International, in which he both stars and directs, and is currently "in filming" according to Screen Australia and industry website IMDB.

Screen Australia describes the plot as following the tech billionaire Jake, who invites his childhood friends to his mansion for a poker game, however, those friends have a love-hate relationship with the host who has concocted an elaborate scheme designed to bring a certain justice to all of them.

It's reported the film was to be filmed in America but moved to Australia.

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A bustle of film production crew and trailers have been spotted at a car park south of the Kiama bends, with signs and security onsite alerting the general public the car park would be closed until August 18.

The Mercury understands Poker Face will also be filmed in Berry, though a Kiama Council spokesman would not confirm if there were any other Kiama locations the Hollywood heavyweights would visit.

"Council has received four requests for filming and photography in August in recent weeks," he said.

"A number of these were for Bombo Quarry, which is currently closed due to the construction of our eco-walk staircase, or land not managed by council."

Nardia Guillaumier of NEG Photography said she had spotted Crowe "walking down the street" several weeks ago but did not ask for an autograph as he was "entitled to enjoy the region in peace".

"Welcome to our beautiful town," she posted to the star via Twitter. "We hope you enjoy our region ... you will love it here."

The Illawarra and South Coast have been popular locations for television and film crews in recent years with TV, advertising and film companies applying to councils for film permits.

Crowe will next show up in Thor: Love And Thunder starring Chris Hemsworth, scheduled for release in May 2022.