Hollywood’s infatuation with the Hub is getting serious. Very serious.
A slew of screen idols are about to descend on Boston to shoot new movies,
including, we’re told, Tom Cruise. That’s right, the world’s most famous movie
star is in serious talks to shoot his latest flick here starting in September.
Called “Wichita,’’ the action comedy would be the biggest budget movie ever to
film here, and Cruise and costar Cameron Diaz could be hanging around the Hub
for up to three months. The film, one of several high-profile projects Cruise had
considered, will be directed by James Mangold, whose credits include “Walk the
Line’’ and “Girl, Interrupted.’’ Not much is known about the script, which is being
burnished now by Mangold and “Shutter Island’’ scribe Laeta Kalogridis, but
Variety previously reported that the story centers on a single woman who meets
a mysterious man on a blind date, and he turns out to be a handsome secret
agent.
Since the prospective blockbuster stars Cruise, it will, of course, have several
high-octane action sequences, and word is producers have already approached
state officials about securing permits to close certain roads and bridges during
shooting. We’re also told that a location scout has been in the city for a few
weeks checking out various neighborhoods.
It remains to be seen if Greater Boston has enough tradespeople to satisfy the
demands of the many movies set to shoot here.
In addition to the Cruise pic, there’s “The Fighter,’’ director David O. Russell’s
biopic of Lowell-bred brawler “Irish’’ Micky Ward, which starts shooting in the Mill
City July 6. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.
Then there’s “Furry Vengeance,’’ a family comedy starring Brendan Fraser and
“High School Musical 3: Senior Year’’ costar Matt Prokop, who plays a city kid
forced to move to rural Oregon with his dad. The movie rolls early next month.
Later in July, Kevin James and Rosario Dawson will take up temporary residence
at the Franklin Park Zoo to shoot “The Zookeeper.’’ The movie stars James as a
likable zookeeper who’s unlucky with the ladies, so he consults with the critters.
Yes, the animals talk in the film, which makes us wonder if Little Joe is busy
learning English. (By the way, the Franklin Park Zoo will keep its name in the
movie.)
Finally, in August, Ben Affleck gets behind the camera again, following up “Gone
Baby Gone’’ with “The Town,’’ a movie based on Chuck Hogan’s book “Prince of
Thieves.’’ The award-winning novel is about a Charlestown thief, played by
Affleck, who falls hard for the bank manager whose branch he and his crew just
robbed. Word is Rebecca Hall, who was in “Frost/Nixon,’’ will play the pretty bank
manager.
A slew of screen idols are about to descend on Boston to shoot new movies,
including, we’re told, Tom Cruise. That’s right, the world’s most famous movie
star is in serious talks to shoot his latest flick here starting in September.
Called “Wichita,’’ the action comedy would be the biggest budget movie ever to
film here, and Cruise and costar Cameron Diaz could be hanging around the Hub
for up to three months. The film, one of several high-profile projects Cruise had
considered, will be directed by James Mangold, whose credits include “Walk the
Line’’ and “Girl, Interrupted.’’ Not much is known about the script, which is being
burnished now by Mangold and “Shutter Island’’ scribe Laeta Kalogridis, but
Variety previously reported that the story centers on a single woman who meets
a mysterious man on a blind date, and he turns out to be a handsome secret
agent.
Since the prospective blockbuster stars Cruise, it will, of course, have several
high-octane action sequences, and word is producers have already approached
state officials about securing permits to close certain roads and bridges during
shooting. We’re also told that a location scout has been in the city for a few
weeks checking out various neighborhoods.
It remains to be seen if Greater Boston has enough tradespeople to satisfy the
demands of the many movies set to shoot here.
In addition to the Cruise pic, there’s “The Fighter,’’ director David O. Russell’s
biopic of Lowell-bred brawler “Irish’’ Micky Ward, which starts shooting in the Mill
City July 6. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.
Then there’s “Furry Vengeance,’’ a family comedy starring Brendan Fraser and
“High School Musical 3: Senior Year’’ costar Matt Prokop, who plays a city kid
forced to move to rural Oregon with his dad. The movie rolls early next month.
Later in July, Kevin James and Rosario Dawson will take up temporary residence
at the Franklin Park Zoo to shoot “The Zookeeper.’’ The movie stars James as a
likable zookeeper who’s unlucky with the ladies, so he consults with the critters.
Yes, the animals talk in the film, which makes us wonder if Little Joe is busy
learning English. (By the way, the Franklin Park Zoo will keep its name in the
movie.)
Finally, in August, Ben Affleck gets behind the camera again, following up “Gone
Baby Gone’’ with “The Town,’’ a movie based on Chuck Hogan’s book “Prince of
Thieves.’’ The award-winning novel is about a Charlestown thief, played by
Affleck, who falls hard for the bank manager whose branch he and his crew just
robbed. Word is Rebecca Hall, who was in “Frost/Nixon,’’ will play the pretty bank
manager.
 |  |  |
Hollywood stars Cruise, Diaz, and more
may be heading to Hub
by Roland Hansen
may be heading to Hub
by Roland Hansen
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