Star-Studded Studio City

A host of senior government officials marked the launch of the $3.2 billion integrated resort, including a few from the mainland. A number of A-list Hollywood stars also showed up and even participated. Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio were there in person to present the world premiere of a short film,”The Audition,” which was directed by Martin Scorsese. It is set “in and around Studio City.”

Brad Pitt is also in the film, though he was not at the ceremony. All three stars play themselves in the 16-minute short, in which they compete for the same role in a fictitious movie.

The attending VIPs from all over the world gave the film a standing ovation, and De Niro remarked that he was “delighted to be part of ‘The Audition’ and to celebrate the inauguration of Studio City.”

Scorsese added, “We all loved making [the film]. It was great to have the new Studio City in Macau as our setting, because it has the feeling of the most fantastic Hollywood set ever designed.”

The film will continually play at the resort for the public. Also on hand were Mariah Carey, Hong Kong superstar Aaron Kwok, K-pop group SISTAR, illusionist Franz Harary and Eddie Dean, CEO of Pacha New York. Carey opened the ceremony with a collection of her hits, followed by SISTAR and Kwok, performed.

Kwok also kicked off the resort’s first legitimate concert season with a full show Nov. 8. Studio City was developed by Studio City International Holdings Ltd., which is 60 percent owned by Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.

According to a press release for the facility, Studio City Macau has “more international-brand entertainment amenities under one roof” than any integrated resort “in the market.”