The Aussie film industry has a message for Mel Gibson: Call your friend Trump and tell him to cool it with the movie tariffs. After Donald Trump’s May 4 announcement of a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the U.S., Australia—along with much of the international production world—is bracing for impact, and it’s not pretty.

With approximately $650 million in annual value, Australia’s screen sector is deeply entwined with Hollywood productions. From the “Star Wars” prequels to “Aquaman,” it’s long been a destination of choice for U.S. shoots lured by rebates, world-class crews, and stunning landscapes. But under Trump’s new tariff proposal, all that cross-border synergy could grind to a halt. That’s why local industry leaders are turning to Mel Gibson, now an official “special ambassador” to Hollywood, to throw his cowboy hat into the ring and tell Trump this plan is as dumb as it sounds.

“Hopefully Mel Gibson… is telling the President that this is a dumb idea,” said Kate Carnell of Screen Producers Australia. She’s not wrong—Gibson himself is reportedly planning to film his next project in Italy, which could now face a 100% tariff just to be seen in the U.S. The irony is baked in.

This isn’t just about jobs in Sydney or soundstages in Queensland. According to Screen Australia, international spending in Oz accounted for nearly half of 2024’s A$1.7 billion in film and TV production. That number has already dropped 29% year-over-year thanks to the 2023 writers’ strike—and a tariff could push it further off a cliff. “We’re talking about a lot of jobs [lost],” Carnell said, noting that higher production costs will almost certainly lead to higher ticket prices for audiences.

Kate Marks, CEO of Ausfilm, echoed the alarm, calling the U.S.-Australia production pipeline a “longstanding relationship” that benefits both countries. “We’re watching this closely,” she said, “and bracing for what comes next.”

And it’s not just Australia. In the UK, the government is scrambling to figure out how the new tariffs would even work. Cultural minister Chris Bryant told Parliament that the UK is in direct contact with U.S. officials, trying to keep its $5.91 billion film and TV industry from being collateral damage. Meanwhile, in India, where 40% of foreign box office revenue comes from the U.S., stakeholders are wondering how “foreign-produced” will be defined and whether the new rules could jeopardize everything from theatrical releases to outsourced post-production.

India’s Madhu Bhojwani warned that tariffs on post could crater the outsourcing business, while Prakash Raj went further, calling Trump’s move “tariff terrorism.” And let’s be honest—when Bollywood and Bond sound the alarm in the same week, it’s not a drill.

Enter Jon Voight, Trump’s other “special ambassador,” who’s pitching a less scorched-earth approach: a 10-20% federal tax credit for domestic productions, plus a targeted 120% tariff on projects that chase foreign incentives. His plan would stack on top of state incentives and even extend to digital platforms like YouTube and Facebook. “We can’t let it go down the drain like Detroit,” Voight said, painting Hollywood as the next Rust Belt casualty if incentives don’t keep pace with the UK and Canada.

The industry is clearly at a tipping point. While Mel Gibson and Jon Voight may seem like unlikely saviors, the decisions made in the coming months could reshape global film production for years to come. Will the U.S. double down on tariffs and force productions back home—or will cooler heads prevail with meaningful incentives and collaboration?

Until then, the message from Australia is clear: Mel, pick up the phone.