Governor JB Pritzker joined Hollywood River Studios founder and CEO Christopher Breakwell, Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup and state officials on October 5 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new production complex that will include six soundstages totaling approximately 144,000 square feet.
The development represents a significant investment in the Metro East region, with the first production facilities targeted for completion in 2027.
The six soundstages will be designed, manufactured and installed by Spantech International, a company specializing in modular construction for film and television production facilities. The prefabricated structures will be manufactured off-site and assembled at the Wood River campus, allowing for an accelerated construction schedule.
ALSO READ:
Illinois film incentives help drive development
The project follows an expansion of the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, which now provides a 35% credit on qualifying Illinois production expenditures, including eligible resident wages.
Productions filming outside the six Chicago-area counties, including those working in Wood River, may qualify for an additional 5% credit on Illinois resident wages. Certified green productions may also qualify for an additional 5% incentive.
The expanded program is scheduled to remain available through 2038, with legislative renewal scheduled for 2039.
The state reported a record $703 million in film and television production expenditures in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 industry hires.
“Last year, Illinois had more than $700 million in film and television production spending: real dollars going to Illinois businesses and workers, supporting our economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Hollywood River Studios is adding an important piece to that ecosystem, projecting hundreds of permanent jobs once the development is fully built out, and hundreds more as the campus is developed. That means more people working in the entertainment industry without having to leave the region to tell their stories.”
Breakwell credited Illinois’ enhanced film tax incentives with helping make the studio investment possible.
“I am extremely excited to bring this investment to the state of Illinois and the city of Wood River,” said Chris Breakwell, president and CEO of Hollywood River Studios. “Because of the foresight of Governor Pritzker and the backing of the state legislature, we have a chance to build on an already booming film industry in Illinois. The enhanced film tax credits allow us to make the commitment and investment in the region and make Illinois a destination for all things media.”
Six soundstages planned for 2027
The Hollywood River Studios campus will include production offices, warehousing, more than 1,000 parking spaces and a planned esports arena.
A separate 55,000-square-foot facility at America’s Central Port in nearby Granite City serves as an equipment warehouse and production base camp.
Spantech International will provide the six modular soundstages, which are expected to be completed in approximately 12 months, with initial production activity targeted for 2027.
“We are grateful that Hollywood River Studios has entrusted Spantech with its soundstages,” said Derek de Villenfagne, CEO of Spantech. “It is a strong statement of confidence in a technology that is changing how studios get built. Netflix and Amazon already use Spantech soundstages in other regions, and Hollywood River Studios will be our first new-build studio campus in the United States, a market where we have ambitious plans for growth.”
Hollywood River Studios projects that the completed development could support more than 1,000 permanent jobs. Individual film and television productions are expected to generate approximately 300 to 500 temporary positions for local crews, vendors and contractors.
Breakwell previously founded Pittsburgh’s 31st Street Studios, which hosted productions including The Dark Knight Rises and Jack Reacher.
Proposed federal film incentive could provide additional benefits
The groundbreaking also comes as Congress considers a federal film production tax credit.
Introduced September 24, 2026, the bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act proposes a 20% federal tax credit on qualifying U.S. production labor costs, increasing to 30% for qualifying productions in rural or disaster-affected areas.
The proposed federal incentive would be available in addition to qualifying state incentives. However, the legislation remains under consideration in Congress and has not been enacted.
If approved as introduced, the legislation would apply to qualifying productions beginning after December 31, 2026.
Expanding Illinois’ production capacity
The Wood River development adds another potential production destination within Illinois at a time when the state is investing in soundstage infrastructure and seeking to attract additional film, television and streaming projects.
For productions considering Illinois, the combination of expanded tax incentives, purpose-built soundstages and production support facilities could create additional opportunities beyond the established Chicago production market.
With construction now underway, Hollywood River Studios is targeting its first production activity in 2027.
