MAKERS of a movie with a reported budget of £250 million appear to have paid a Scottish council less than the advertised rent of a workshop, it has been revealed.
Filming of The Odyssey brought top actors like Matt Damon, Zendaya and Tom Holland to Moray this summer.
But documents from the local authority have told how it received a smaller sum than it publicises for use of the space in Buckie, just £880.
The 163-square-metre building in Old Station Yard is currently listed as “under offer” on Moray Council’s website with a guide price “in the region of” £11,000 a year - £950 a month.
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However, The Odyssey’s production firm appears to have agreed a rent £70 below that price tag.
According to the records, the lease was a “short term (1 month) occupation licence to store gear in connection with on-location film production.”
The tenant was listed as a company named Charlie’s Tale Ltd which, according to an Italian film industry website and the Greek film commission, is the production firm behind the Christopher Nolan-directed The Odyssey.
The lease for the workshop came into force on June 16 - the same day Viking-style longships were first spotted in Buckie ahead of filming.
Damon would later be spotted in the town holding a Buckie Thistle away shirt.
It is understood that further income is expected from the project, but has not yet been reported.
A Moray Council spokesperson said the total income from specific productions could not be made public due to “commercial sensitivity”.
However, they added, a new policy was currently being drawn up to help generate more cash from filming in Moray.
Last year, the council received just £250 of direct spend from film productions.
“Total income is not yet known for the 2025 to 2026 financial year but will be reported to the relevant committee at the appropriate time,” the spokesperson said.
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“Due to commercial sensitivity, we can’t confirm the total income attributed to specific productions.
“Moray Council continues to work towards formalising the service we can provide to film and TV productions in terms of liaison and scouting, with a new policy due to the committee on this topic.
“This will outline the opportunities for commercialisation in this sector and help Moray realise its full potential.”
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