The film is being shot in regional Victoria instead of Tasmania, a decision that the Guardian understands was made out of respect for the residents in and near Port Arthur.
The film was commissioned by the Melbourne international film festival, where it will premiere in 2021.
The film has divided people on Twitter: while many have rejected its premise, others have highlighted how little we know about it.
Survivors, families of victims and the local mayor have expressed deep misgivings about the production of a new film that will depict the days leading up to the Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 lives in 1996.