MOANNA and Star Wars: Episode II and III actor Temuera Morrison and Home and Away favourite Dan Ewing will star in a new action/sci-fi movie to be filmed on the Gold Coast.

Titled Occupation, principal photography will begin on the six-week shoot on May 2.

While the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, producers SparkeFilms and director Luke Sparke are yet to cast one crucial role.

New Zealander Morrison, who is preparing to join Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman and Amber Heard in the cast of Aquaman, currently in pre-production at Village Roadshow Studios, said it was ‘great to be working in Australia again’.

“It’s a new, fresh market for me and I like the idea of working here more often as it’s close to home,” he said.

media_camera Temuera Morrison will film new Aussie sci-fi action film Occupation on the Gold Coast and in Northern NSW in May.

Occupation will see Ewing and Morrison joined by Stephany Jacobsen (Battlestar Galactica), Rhiannon Fish (The 100), Charles Terrier (Neighbours), Bruce Spence (Max Max 2), Roy Billing (Jack Irish, The Chronicles of Narnia), Felix Williamson (The Great Gatsby, Underbelly), Charles Mesure (Desperate Housewives), Zachary Garred (General Hospital), Izzy Stevens (Puberty Blues), Trystan Go (The Family Law) and AFI award-winner Jacqueline McKenzie (The 4400, Romper Stomper).

The storyline follows a group of small-town residents forced to band together to survive after a devastating ground invasion.

The residents fight to stay a step ahead of their attackers as they hatch plans to strike back.

“Sci-fi is an exciting genre and very popular,” said Morrison, who will sign autographs and meet fans at the Supanova Pop Culture Expo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 22-23.

“I’ve just done The Osiris Child — another sci-film — so this genre seems to be where it’s

currently at.

“I’m looking forward to working on Occupation with the ensemble cast and hardworking crews.”

media_camera Occupation will be directed by Luke Sparke, who helmed 2016 monster romp Red Billabong. Picture Cameron Richardson.

Morrison, 57, will also walk the red carpet when The Osiris Child premieres at The Arts Centre Gold Coast on April 21 during this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival and join a cast Q & A following the screening.

Occupation producer Carly Imrie, director Sparke and Ewing all worked together on last year’s monster film Red Billabong — SparkeFilms’ first foray into the action genre.

Ewing said Sparke’s latest script had vast scope but was grounded in ‘deep human realism and truth’.

“I’m also pumped to share the journey with some of the best up and coming actors in the industry,” he said.

The film will be released theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by Pinnacle Films.

The Gold Coast Film Festival plays venues throughout the city from April 19 to April 30. Click here for the full program.