Stone to build studio in Thailand

Oliver Stone is building a movie studio in Thailand nicknamed "Ollywood".

The Platoon director has bought a plot of land with producer David Winters, and hopes the country's scenery and low costs will attract stars to film there.

A friend said: "He and David have found some land halfway between Bangkok and Pattaya and a studio is being built for use by the US and British film industry.

"Obviously the beautiful coastlines have always made perfect filming locales, but although it's one of the booming Pacific rim economies, it's also a relatively cheap place to make films and a place where extras can be employed at a reduced rate."

The source added: "It's early days but already those working alongside Stone are jokingly calling it 'Ollywood'."

Actor-turned-director Mel Gibson is planning a similar project in Costa Rica, where he hopes to lure other filmmakers to move their sets.