Local convenience store Country Corner on Perkins Road was temporarily shut down last week for the filming of next year’s action film “The Philly Kid.”
The film chronicles fictional wrestler turned ultimate fighter Dylan McCabe’s path to recovery after 10 years in prison.
Jason Connery, known for thrillers such as “Brotherhood of Blood” and “Urban Ghost Story,” is directing the film starring Wes Chatham, who will also appear in this year’s much anticipated film “The Help.”
The film is being produced by After Dark Films, a company that has frequented Louisiana recently with other thrillers like “Dark Circles.” Both productions are scheduled to be released next year.
“The Philly Kid” is one of three action-packed films being filmed in and around Baton Rouge this summer.
New director Eduardo Rodriguez is directing a murder mystery entitled “Stash House” in Baton Rouge, which will star Sean Faris, known for his roles in “Pearl Harbor” and “Never Back Down.”
The fourth installment in the science fiction series “Universal Soldier: A New Dimension” is also scheduled to film in the city.
In other Louisiana cities like Shreveport and New Orleans, there are more than 20 other movies in production, including “Later Favor,” starring Bruce Willis.
Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel and Uma Thurman are also staring in next year’s romantic comedy “Playing the Field.”
This relationship between Baton Rouge and the film industry is nothing new.
In recent years Louisiana Economic Development has focused on growing the entertainment industry in Louisiana by marketing the state for “all things entertainment,” including films, television shows, albums and video games, according to Chris Stelly, the director of the Office of Entertainment Industry Development.
Stelly, a University political science and English alumnus, is and has been an integral part of the growth of the entertainment industry.
Stelly said Louisiana’s 30 percent transferable tax incentive program is the main reason the film industry has grown so dramatically in the state in recent years.
The tax cuts give filmmakers a sense of “confidence and assurance” when filming in Louisiana, he said.
Andre Champagne, director of Hollywood Trucks, a company that coordinates all transportation for every movie filmed in Louisiana, expressed the same opinion.
“Tax credits are the major draw to Baton Rouge. … Baton Rouge has embraced the industry and created a friendly, open and embracing environment,” Champagne said.
Both Stelly and Champagne noted Louisiana’s diverse palette of locations has helped attract filmmakers of all kinds to the state.
Neither Stelly nor Champagne was certain of exact locations for future filming around the city but said almost every part of Baton Rouge has been used in previous projects and will likely be used this summer.
“You can see [movies] happening,” said Stelly.
 
 
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Contact Laura Furr at [email protected]