Exclusive: Plaza Theatre hosts People’s Sexiest Man Alive as “The Change Up” continues shooting in town

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People magazine’s 2010 Sexiest Man Alive had the historic Plaza Theatre all to himself Thursday as the buddy comedy “The Change Up” shot scenes at the Midtown movie house.
 
In an exclusive to ATL Intel, Plaza manager Ben Ruder tells us the non-profit theater closed to the public during the shoot as actor Ryan Reynolds shot a scene watching a film in the main theater with a handful of extras.
 
Filmmakers made certain that the Plaza’s interiors, including its trademark sconces and curtains, were in the shots. The Plaza also supplied the popcorn, candy and soda props for the scene (Reynolds enjoyed a box of Goobers chocolate covered peanuts and a Diet Coke).
 
The crew also shot a reverse of Reynolds eating candy and laughing at the comedy being shown.  “Change Up” director David Dobkin (who also helmed the comedy “Wedding Crashers”) will insert footage of the film Reynolds was watching later on. Still, Ruder had some fun in the projection booth Thursday.
 
Spills Ruder to us: “As a bit of fun for Ryan and the crew, I ran a print of “Teen Wolf Too, starring a 1987 Jason Bateman.”
 
Bateman is Reynolds’ real-life pal and “Change Up” co-star. He took over the role in the “Teen Wolf” franchise in the late 1980s post-Michael J. Fox.
 
“The Change Up” is set to wrap here by the end of the year and will hit theaters in 2011.
 
 

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