By now, it’s well established that Atlanta is the “Hollywood of the South” (or “Y’allywood,” if you will). While it used to be exciting to see a film crew, we’re all getting a little jaded, and when we spot those yellow signs tacked to phone poles and hanging off buildings directing crews and stars to a location, we start to lament that it means street closings and extra traffic. But do you know what production is to blame for making you late to work? Here’s a roundup of what’s shooting around town this summer. Adjust your commute accordingly.
Insurgent
The next installment of the dystopian young adult Divergent series is shooting the bulk of its production in and around metro Atlanta. Shailene Woodley returns as Beatrice “Tris” Prior alongside her brooding lover Four (Theo James). Zip lines have been spotted downtown atop Peachtree Center and the AmericasMart. Filming under the working title “Mineral,” the production also spent some time at the Serenbe community shooting scenes for the Amity faction compound. See if you can also spot some of the film’s other stars, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, and Daniel Dae Kim, around town.
Triple 9
Former Breaking Bad star/your favorite the Price is Right contestant Aaron Paul and Walking Dead crossbow badass/Atlanta magazine cover model Norman Reedus are among the ensemble cast in this thriller centered around dirty cops sacrificing a rookie in order to pull off a heist. Also look for future Wonder Woman Gal Gadot and seasoned True Detective Woody Harrelson. Filming has been spotted at the St. Regis hotel, Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Buckhead, and at Centennial Olympic Park. Decatur residents have been warned of traffic stops this weekend for action scenes being shot near Kings Highway.
Extra tidbit: 999 is police code for an officer down.
Goosebumps
The 1990s children’s horror book series comes to life with studio filming taking place in Conyers and outdoor shooting in downtown Madison. In the film, Jack Black plays a caricature of author R. L. Stine who must deal with the baddies and beasties of his hair-raising bibliography come to life.
Selma
Some of the photography for the MLK biopic centered around the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches is taking place near Atlanta. Although a large portion of the filming has taken place in Alabama, crews have been spotted at the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art and in Marietta Square as well as along Edgewood and Auburn Avenues and, of course, near historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Additional filming was shot at the Rockdale County Courthouse in Conyers. The movie stars David Oyelowo as MLK and also features Common, Tim Roth, and Lorraine Toussaint, aka, Vee of Orange is the New Black. Spotted around town: Oprah, who is an executive producer of the movie.
The Walking Dead
The fan-favorite zombie series took a ride up from its usual digs in Senoia to film for three days in Atlanta. All of the locales were Downtown, a far cry from last season’s kudzu and cannibals.
Star Wars 7
Just kidding, but production signs have been spotted in and around Little Five Points and environs. An elaborate prank, perhaps? This is not the production we’re looking for. Move along.
