As you know, the Hub became something of a Hollywood backlot in 2007, with eight movies shot in and around the city. That's not too shabby, considering that few films have ever been made in Massachusetts. And all you aspiring extras shouldn't shelve your headshots just yet. The folks at the revitalized Massachusetts Film Office swear that 2008 could be even busier. "If even a fraction of the projects that are circling actually land to work here," says state film czar Nick Paleologos, "then it will be an even bigger year." Here then is a list of the films that are eyeing an '08 start date.
"The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past"
When: Production crews are already here, setting up shop in South Boston's Seaport District.
Director: Mark Waters
Stars: Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey
Story: While attending his younger brother's wedding, a bachelor is haunted by the ghost of - you guessed it - his girlfriends past.
Release date: February 2009
"Shutter Island"
When: It's hard to say, but location scouts have been scouring the area looking for suitable locales that could sub for a 1950s hospital for the criminally insane.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michelle Williams, Ben Kingsley, and Mark Ruffalo
Story: A drama based on the Dennis Lehane novel of the same name. US Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of an escaped murderer who's believed to be hiding on Shutter Island.
Release date: 2009
"The Surrogates"
When: Scouts already have picked a few locations and producers are telling local crews to be ready to go by the spring.
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Stars: Bruce Willis and Michael Jai White
Story: Based on the popular graphic novels of Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, the futuristic action flick imagines a world where humans live in isolation but interact through surrogate robots. A cop, played by Willis, investigates the murder of surrogates.
Release date: 2010
"Against All Enemies"
When: Word is scouts have been in town, but it's unknown yet when or where filming will take place.
Director: Robert Redford
Stars: Bruce Willis (Sean Penn and Vince Vaughn were initially attached, but have reportedly dropped out)
Story: Based on the memoir by former counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke, the story centers on the government's failure to heed warnings about a planned attack on the United States.
Release date: 2008
"Bride Wars"
When: Word is Kate Hudson, who stars and produces, had such a good time in Boston shooting "My Best Friend's Girl" last summer that she wants to return. Timetable unknown.
Director: Gary Winick
Stars: Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway
Story: A comedy about best friends who become rivals when they schedule their weddings for the same day.
Release date: 2009
"The Town"
When: "The Departed" producer Graham King has scouted here, but the writers' strike may hold things up.
Director: Adrian Lyne
Stars: Unknown
Story: Based on Chuck Hogan's award-winning novel "Prince of Thieves" about a band of robbers who are hunted in Boston by a tenacious FBI agent and a woman who could destroy them.
Release date: 2008
"The Fighter"
When: With any luck, the production, which could end up being the largest ever filmed in the state, is expected to begin filming in Lowell next fall.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Stars: Mark Wahlberg and Brad Pitt, who signed after Matt Damon dropped out
Story: A biopic based on the life of former champ "Irish" Micky Ward and the brother who helped train him.
Scheduled release: 2009
"Hickory Nation"
When: Filming on the North Shore could begin as soon as next month.
Director: Rebecca Cook, who'll also get a writing and producing credit.
Stars: Aimee Teegarden
Story: A drama about life after a mysterious hit-and-run in a small Maine town.
Release date: 2009
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