State of film in Wilmington promising with four projects already set for 2021 – StarNewsOnline.com

Hunter Ingram|Wilmington StarNews

WILMINGTON After several years where the outlook for the new year wasn't always bright, the local film industry is heading into 2021 with the potential for a huge year.

As it stands, 2020 closes out with four projects on the books going into the new year two television series currently in production, "This Country" and "Hightown;"and two feature films in pre-production, "I.S.S." and "Static."

"Going into 2021 with four projects is very good for us," said Johnny Griffin, the director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. "Traditionally, most productions try to shut down before the holiday break and then we are left to wait until things ramp back up in the new year to see what other projects might come in."

A good year for film, however, will be all dependent on the looming cloud that is COVID-19. Case counts are worse than ever and the film/TV production capital in Los Angeles is already asking projectsto consider pausing while vaccines can be put in arms across the country.

If that will have an impact locally remains to be seen, but Griffin noted these factors are beyond North Carolina's control, which hasn't always been the case when it comes to Wilmington film industry hurdles.

"Exterior factors like COVID could affect us in 2021, but in years past, it has been the internal factors like House Bill 2 (the so-called Bathroom Bill)and incentives that have hurt us," he said.

Griffin added that other potential projects have inquired about shooting in Wilmington and he expects to continue those conversations in the new year.

For now, here's a look at all the confirmed projects in Wilmington past, present and future:

This Fox comedyis an adaptation of a BBC Three seriesof the same name and marks the first half-hour series to ever film in Wilmington. The series shot for only one day in Wilmington in March before being shut down for COVID-19. Based on just that day of filming and additional scripts, the network ordered it to series. The docu-com series (think the fake documentary format of "The Office" and "Parks of Recreation")follows twocousins Kelly (Chelsea Holmes) and Shrub Mallet (Sam Straley) as they are trailed by a documentary crew hoping to get a peek into their small-town life. Seann William Scott, Aya Cash,Taylor Ortega, YouTuber Krystal Smith and and Desmin Borges costar. "Bridesmaids" director Paul Feig directed the first three episodes, which have focused production on Wilmington and places in Pender County.Production is slated to last through late February, and Foxis likely to premiere the show in the spring though it could be held until fall depending on COVID-19.

More: 'This Country' comedy series set to again film in Wilmington after Fox pickup

The Starz opioid epidemic drama series shifted its production from New York state to Wilmington for its second season, which isset to airin 2021. Season one, which premiered in May 2020, introduced audiences toJackie Quiones (Monica Raymund), a National Marine Fisheries Service Agent in Provincetown, Massachusetts, who finds herself intertwined with a murder investigation as she wrestles with her own addictions in Cape Cod's opioid epidemic. The series is expected to shoot through early March, and operates offices and sound stage space at EUE/Screen Gems Studios.

More: PHOTOS: Starz's 'Hightown' films at Wrightsville Beach

More: Starzs Hightown relocating production to Wilmington for season 2

The two feature films expected to start shooting in early 2021 are currently listed as in pre-production" but not much is known about them yet. Griffin said he can't speak to them, but it appears "I.S.S." is a film about the International Space Station and will shoot exclusively on the EUE/Screen Gems Studios lot. Meanwhile, "Static" isrumored to be a horror/thriller film, which is a growing trend in the region (more on that later). Local crews have already been hired on the two projects, so they should start up soon.

In a version of 2020 without COVID-19, horror fans would have already seen this sequel to 2018's quasi-reboot of the iconic "Halloween" franchise with Jamie Lee Curtis. It was originally scheduled to open in October 2020. But with most theaters closed, Curtis, director David Gordon Green and producer Blumhouse opted to push the film to Oct. 16, 2021. The film shot in Wilmington and at EUE/ScreenGems Studios in October 2019, with Curtis returning as Michael Myers' nemesis Laurie Strode, alongside Judy Greer,Andi Matichak, and original "Halloween" cast members Kyle Richards and Nancy Stephens. A third film, "Halloween Ends," is set to film in 2021 and a return to Wilmington is looking good, according to sources within the industry. Greer, meanwhile, became a fan of Wilmington and has indicatedshe would like to shoot the new film locally.

Another refresh of an iconic horror franchise called Wilmington home recently, with the relaunch of "Scream" bringing Ghostface and original stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette to town. A crop of new cast members (or victims?) joined the OG stars for a film intended to resurrect the slasher series created by late-great director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson, who is a North Carolina native. December 2021 will mark 25 years since the 1996 original, but fans will have to wait until Jan. 14, 2022 for the new film. It shot in Wilmington for nearly 40 days this fall, after delaying a planned May start due to COVID-19. It was based at EUE/Screen Gems Studios.

More: On the Wilmington set of 'Scream', keeping the film's secrets is scarier than Ghostface

More: Chills and thrills: 'Scream' wraps production; indie vampire film eyes Wilmington

Oscar winner Russell Crowe came to Wilmington to play an actor who starts to unravel while starringin an "Exorcist"-like horror movie (hence the nod to the classic film's setting in the title). The film costars Chloe Bailey as his increasingly concerned daughter, and Sam Worthington and David Hyde Pierce. Itwas also produced by Williamson and directed byM.A. Fortin andJoshua John Miller. It is unclear when the film will be out but a 2021 release is expected.

More: Russell Crowe, Georgetown Project say goodbye to Wilmington

- Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' "USS Christmas," which shot in Wilmington in September, made its speedy debut on Nov. 28 and has since been aired nearly a dozen times. The festive film starred Jen Lilley and Trevor Donovan who hunt down a lost love story aboard a Navy aircraft carrier while wrestling with their own feelings for one another. It will air one final time this season at midnight on Jan. 2.

More: A Wilmington viewing guide to Hallmark's 'USS Christmas'

More: Wilmington-shot 'USS Christmas' is exactly what you need right now, says Hallmark cast

- The CW's television adaptation of the 1987 vampire film "The Lost Boys" shot for about a week in March before its pilot was shut down due to COVID-19. Network president Mark Pedowitz said in May the project will be rolled off to the next development cycle instead of resuming production (like "This Country").

More: The CW president will wait to decide fate of Wilmington-shot Lost Boys pilot

Reporter Hunter Ingram can be reached at 910-343-2327 or Hunter.Ingram@StarNewsOnline.com.

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State of film in Wilmington promising with four projects already set for 2021 - StarNewsOnline.com