Charlize Theron is back in Australia for another major production, joining Eric Bana and British actor Taron Egerton for the Netflix movie, Apex.

Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund helped secure the production for the state. It is expected to generate more than 460 local jobs and contribute an estimated $56.5 million in expenditure to the NSW economy.

Apex, which began filming on Monday, is co-produced by Theron and will be filmed in Sydney and Western Sydney – locations familiar to the South African-born actor, who shot scenes from 2015’s Mad Max Fury Road in Sydney and Penrith.

The movie follows a grieving woman as she seeks solace in the wilderness, only to find herself “ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a serial killer”.

Egerton (Kingsman) recently starred in the Nexflix pre-Christmas hit Carry-On.

Bana – who rose to Hollywood fame after his portrayal of ‘Chopper’ Read in the 2000 movie, Chopper – last year wrapped filming in Canada for the upcoming Netflix miniseries Untamed opposite Sam Neill.

“Securing the thriller, written by Jeremy Robbins (The Purge), is a significant win for the NSW screen industry and the state’s broader economy, with employment opportunities for local cast and crew, along with hospitality, catering, security and other on-set operations,” Netflix said.

“The Apex production team will work with Screen Careers to engage trainees to provide them with hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to work on a world-class production,” it said.

Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur said other countries could have replaced Australia as the movie’s primary location.

“The unrivalled landscape, studio facilities, and talented crews in NSW have been a boon to this production,” Kormákur said.

Established in 2020 and administered by Screen NSW, the Made in NSW Fund is designed to support the advancement of NSW as a destination for international and local feature films and major television drama programs.