Seen Any Stars? - Major Movie Production Underway
Keep your eyes peeled for some major movie stars in or around Chattanooga. Principal photography is underway for the Fox 2000 Pictures drama, “Water for Elephants,” starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz.
Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is actually shot, as distinct from pre-production and post-production.
“The Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Film Commission has been working with the production for over a month, while they have been here scouting locations and setting up offices, as they were preparing to film here,” according to Missy Crutchfield, Administrator with Chattanooga's Department of Education Arts & Culture (EAC).
Crutchfield's office can't confirm which, if any, stars will actually be here for filming... or when.
Send us an e-mail if you've had any "star sightings."
Jan Belk with the Chattanooga Theatre Centre writes, "
"Just to clear up possible confusion, the Chattanooga Theatre Centre is NOT involved with casting for WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. We did share information on our Facebook page with our friends last week when we learned of the call for extras ... because many of our Facebook friends are actors and would be interested in the opportunity."
Belk went on to say, "If they (the stars) are interested in coming here, however, we would welcome two Oscar winners and a heartthrob anytime."
According to www.extra-casting.com, casting for extras here in Chattanooga is completed.
"Water For Elephants" is directed by Francis Lawrence and based upon the best-selling novel by Sara Gruen.
During the Great Depression, Jacob (Robert Pattinson), a penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student, parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus. He falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon), one of the show's star performers, but their romance is complicated by Marlena's husband, the charismatic but unbalanced circus boss August (Waltz).
Reese Witherspoon, who won an Academy Award® for her role as June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line,” has also starred in such blockbuster films as “Legally Blonde” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Achieving a cult-like following from his character, Edward Cullen, in the “Twilight” films, Robert Pattinson also portrayed Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Christoph Waltz gained worldwide attention when he won an Academy Award in 2010 for “Inglourious Basterds.” He also won a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice and SAG Award for the same role.
Director Francis Lawrence’s previous directorial efforts include “I Am Legend” and “Constantine.”
20th Century Fox releases “Water For Elephants” next year.
