New 'Thor' and 'Alien' movies to be shot in Australia

Two big budget blockbusters, including the next Marvel superhero "Thor" instalment and Ridley Scott's new "Alien" film, will be shot in Australia from next year, the government said Thursday.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the deal to film Marvel Studios' "Ragnarok", starring Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, and Scott's production for Twentieth Century Fox would generate 3,000 jobs and Aus$300 million ($216 million) for the economy.

"Australia's creative industries are well placed to take advantage of a growing global economy and I have been actively promoting Australia for the production of major international films," Bishop said.

The announcement comes after recent trips to the United States during which Bishop lauded Australia for its highly qualified workforce, innovative technology, stable economy and low dollar.

The original "Thor" in 2011, based on the Marvel Comics character, was a box office smash and was followed by a sequel "Thor: The Dark World" in 2013, also starring Hemsworth.

Sci-fi horror movie "Alien", directed by Scott, was a cult hit in 1979 and led to three sequels.

He is directing four prequels, beginning with the 2012 release of "Prometheus".

The latest instalment to be shot in Australia will be the second in that series, tipped to be called "Alien: Paradise Lost".