Gambling operator Melco Crown Entertainment announced on Wednesday that its $3.2-billion Hollywood-themed integrated resort Studio City will officially open doors on October 27.
The launch of the luxury property will also feature the world premiere of The Audition, a 16-minute short film directed by Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt. Earlier this week, it was announced that the feature, aimed at promoting Studio City, will be screened at the 72nd Annual Venice Film Festival, although it will not be part of the competition due to its commercial purpose.
The film is actually Macau’s first one to be produced by Hollywood. The plot is set around Studio City and represents the first-ever collaboration of the three Hollywood legends. The Audition was first introduced with a teaser trailer released in January.
Hong Kong businessman Lawrence Ho is the mastermind behind the ambitious Studio City project. Commenting on the cinematically-themed Cotai Strip resort, Mr. Ho said that they are really close to launching what seems to be their “vision of a leisure and entertainment destination”, unique to Macau.
The businessman also pointed out that Studio City represents yet another important milestone for Melco Crown as the operator is striving to “develop and re-imagine” the leisure destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. The company is a joint venture between Australian casino mogul James Packer’s Crown and Ho’s Melco International Development.
Furthermore, Studio City is indicative of Melco Crown’s determination to present visitors to Macau with more non-gambling options. Recently, the administrative region’s government noted that it should become less reliant on gambling and to diversify its offering.
It was also announced that Studio City’s hotel reservation system has already gone live. Visitors will have the chance to stay at a total of 1,600 luxury hotel rooms.
The $3.2-billion complex spreads over 6 million square feet of land and is expected to employ more than 10,000 people. Apart from the gambling options, it will also feature a number of leisure, entertainment, retail, and food and beverage ones.
The 5,000-seat Studio City Event Center, the Batman Dark Flight ride, and the figure-eight Ferris wheel are only few of the attractions offered at the resort. In addition to all this, Studio City also features the first broadcast and television recording studio within Macau’s borders.
