According to data released today (July 14) by the Motion Picture Association of Canada, British Columbia benefited economically from hosting a war here, so to speak.

The film production for War for the Planet of the Apes contributed $81 million to the province's economy when it was filmed here over a period of 180 days from late 2015 to early 2016.

More than $45 million was paid to local cast, crew, and extras while over $2.9 million was spent on employment for local office personnel. Among the local talent employed by the production, actor Karin Konoval reprised her role in the film series as the orangutan Maurice. 

Other expenditures included over $3.6 million on local construction supplies and over $1.6 million on location fees. An additional $1.5 million was spent on transportation.

The hospitality sector also benefitted with over $1.2 million spent on local hotels as well as an additional $1.2 million on local catering and craft services.

Shooting locations included the Lower Mainland, such as Richmond (where a prison camp set was built), and on Vancouver Island, such as Tofino.

The film, which is being released in theatres today, was the third in the current Planet of the Apes franchise reboot to be shot in B.C. after 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes and 2014's Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.