AMC is solidifying its commitment to Georgia’s film industry.
The network bought the nearly 80,000 square foot studio, where The Walking Dead films, for over $8 million. AMC purchased the studio under an LLC called Woodbury Studios, which is a reference to the fictional town that was featured in Season 3 of The Walking Dead. Kudzu Productions, the owner of the studio, is a venture of Paul Lombardi and his nephew, Scott Tigchelaar, the former president of Raleigh Studios Atlanta. Lombardi owned the studio since he and his father Joe Lombardi built it in the late 1980s, the Atlanta Business Journal reports.
Alan Wexler, CEO of DataBank, Inc, told the Atlanta Business Journal, AMC will now own the nearly 80,000 square foot studio after buying it for $8.25 million.
The deal reportedly closed on July 19th.
It is important to highlight the impact The Walking Dead has had on the small town outside of Atlanta. According to reports, prior to the zombie drama, there were only 10 businesses in the center of Senoia, Georgia. Now there are more than 50. Several of the businesses are dedicated to The Walking Dead including a museum, coffee shops, and other businesses. The Woodbury Shoppe has had over 100,000 visitors in 2015 alone and The Walking Dead’s producer Greg Nicotero and cast member Norman Reedus opened a restaurant called Nic and Norman’s in Senoia, Georgia.
Ultimately, AMC is making a long term investment in Senoia, Georgia by buying the studio, which makes sense as the show’s producer said he hopes the show goes on for another 20 seasons.
UPDATE Friday, August 4th (9:08 pm): This article was updated.
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