Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art steps are just one of many locations that have become iconic movie scenes over the years. (Credit: GPTMC)

Over the years, Philadelphia has served as the set for some pretty great movies and TV shows (Sixth Sense, Twelve Monkeys, Unbreakable, and It’s Always Sunny, to name just a few of the most recognizable).

And the local film industry is continuing the momentum today thanks to financial incentives for filmmakers considering shooting here, locations to suit every desired backdrop, accommodating city services and expert support from the Greater Philadelphia Film Office.

We recently received word from the film office’s Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson of four specific projects that are coming down the pipeline:

• Dead Man Down: This New York-set mob movie, directed by Niels Arden Oplev of the original Swedish version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movie, will star Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace (the latter is also of the Dragon Tattoo film). The movie will shoot here in Philly for 40 days; the only thing that would make the news more awesome is if the movie was both filmed and set here. No matter.

• After Earth: No stranger to Philadelphia, M. Night Shyamalan is directing his next film here about a father and son exploring an alien planet. It stars Will Smith, his son Jaden, Zoë Kravitz, Sophie Okonedo and more stars. Right now the cast is in Costa Rica, but they’ll be back in town later this month. One confirmed location for filming is the Budd Manufacturing Facility at 2450 W. Hunting Park Avenue in North Philly.

• Do No Harm: This NBC medical drama pilot about a doctor struggling with his alter-ego a la Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will film in Philadelphia later this year. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, who directed the pilot of the Steven Spielberg-backed Smash on NBC plus Broadway’s Spring Awakening, has signed on to direct.

• Political Animals: Set to film here later this year, this six-episode cable show is in casting right now and will poke fun at notable political figures (think the Clintons). USA Network has partnered with Warner Horizon Television to produce it.

We hear that several more TV shows are in talks to film in Philly over the summer, as well. It’s awesome to see that Philadelphia is on both the silver and small screen scene. Which means we can look forward to more celebrity sightings around town.

Bonus: on February 14, the film office is launching a brand new website to connect film vendors, crew, hiring producers and movie buffs.

Greater Philadelphia Film Office [Official Site]