Dark Horse Studios moving full steam ahead with new stages

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With the writers and actors strikes officially over, Hollywood East is back up and running. 

A New Hanover County studio is moving full steam ahead on work it hopes will bring more movie and T.V. projects to the area. 

The latest phase of expansion at Dark Horse Studios, off Market St., started Wednesday. 

The walls for the stages are being lifted into place. 

In August, the studio announced the 40,000 square-foot expansion that will include two new stages. 

Dark Horse Studios President Kirk Englebright said it’s been exciting to watch the new space come to life. 

“It’s Christmas morning for us. You know, we’ve got such a strong crew base here. We’ve got so many people excited and rooting us on, supporting us. The film commission is out here showing their support. We’re just excited to bring the stage to life,” Englebright said. 

Film Partnership of North Carolina President and CEO Susi Hamilton said expansion projects like this one is proof that business is booming despite the film industry’s recent hiatus.