Amazon has taken over the Bray Film Studios near London, which were once home to the Hammer horror films, in order to expand its production of TV series and feature films in the United Kingdom.
The US technology company announced on Monday that its Prime Video division has acquired the studios, which include five stages, workshops, and offices, for an undisclosed amount.
Bray Studios has already collaborated with Amazon MGM Studios and helped produce the second season of the Prime Video series 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' in 2022.
The next production by Amazon MGM Studios, which will be filmed in Bray after the acquisition, is the second season of the spy series "Citadel" by the Russo Brothers, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Amazon Prime Video is also utilizing nine sound stages at Shepperton Studios in the UK.
The deal represents another boost for the British studio and production sector, which produces many of the biggest Hollywood films at facilities owned by Disney, Sky, Warner Brothers Discovery, and Amazon. Last year, half of the 20 most successful film releases were at least partially filmed in the UK, including 'Barbie' and 'Wonka'.
In particular, US studios were attracted by tax incentives and access to talented labor, although the sector was impacted by the production decline due to last year's Hollywood strike as well as production cuts at streaming services.
However, this has not stopped the planning of a series of studio projects, with over 3 million square feet promised in expansions at projects in Elstree, Leavesden, Shepperton, as well as proposed studios in cities like Sunderland.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said that the US technology company "is committed to deepening our relationships with the British creative community, which is rich in top-notch storytellers and creative talents of all kinds.
Culture Minister Lisa Nandy stated that the Labour government is "determined to support the enormous growth potential of our creative industries.
She added: "This vote of confidence from Amazon MGM Studios will ensure that one of our leading film studios continues to play a decisive role in our premier film industries. It will deliver a significant investment in skills and infrastructure to strengthen our status as Europe's leading film destination.
The site belonged to Bray Film Studios Ltd. Frank Burke, chairman of the group, said that the Bray Studios have held an important place in the history of British film for over 70 years.
The Bray Film Studios were founded in 1951 when Hammer acquired an 18th-century English country house and the associated land, formerly known as Down Place.
Hammer produced horror and fantasy films such as "The Mummy," "The Curse of Frankenstein," and Terence Fisher's "Dracula." Other productions at the Bray Film Studios included "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," Ridley Scott's "Alien," Eric Clapton's MTV Unplugged special and album, as well as the Elton John biopic "Rocketman.
