‘Gladiator 2’ to be given €47 million of your tax money

This is by far the highest amount in state aid ever granted to a single movie production in the European Union.

The government’s generous cashback payments of €46,653,961 translate to around €86 per resident.

Until last year, the rebate of up to 40% was only eligible on movie productions’ local and EU expenses.

In 2022, Film Commissioner Johann Grech opened eligibility to cast and crew from all around the world.

Grech also allowed productions to receive up to €5 million in rebate for salaries for the main actors, producers and directors who don’t pay taxes in Malta.

Industry experts told the Times of Malta that only a small fraction of the money eventually ends up in the Maltese economy.

When the first Gladiator movie was shot in Malta in 2019, the cash rebate scheme did not exist.

The production reportedly left around €21 million in the Maltese economy, without receiving state aid.

With a rebate of €46.7 million against a local direct expenditure of not more than €55 million, the Maltese economy would be lucky to end up with €10 million, an industry insider said.