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Hollywood heavyweight Ridley Scott has toured labs at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus in search of his next film location. The Mercury understands the acclaimed filmmaker paid particular attention to the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre - a $26 million ‘‘living laboratory’’ with a high-tech ventilation system, rooftop solar panels and rooftop test area. The 76-year-old Englishman landed in Sydney on Wednesday and arrived in Wollongong Thursday morning with a band of collaborators said to include Arthur Max, production designer on past Scott films including Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, American Gangster and Prometheus. The Australian visit has been noted by international media and prompted speculation on which of Scott’s projects could be filmed here, with Prometheus 2 a probable contender. Scott is also in negotiations to direct Matt Damon in the Fox sci-fi flick The Martian, and has the Blade Runner sequel and an adaptation of The Forever War - more sci-fi - in the works. The Mercury understands a crew member on the short-lived Nine Network TV series Tricky Business - which was filmed in and around Wollongong - alerted Scott’s camp to Innovation Campus as a potential film location. The University of Wollongong has declined to comment.

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