You may have noticed a flurry of activity going on at 585 Commercial Street. This time, it isn’t a new development project on the drawing board, but a big-budget movie. The vacant building has been leased for at least six months to serve as offices for 20st Century Fox’s “Wichita” starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The movie is a James Mangold (Walk the Line; 3:10 to Zuma) action-comedy that will be filming this fall. The movie would reportedly be the biggest-budget movie ever to film in Boston.
According to Variety, the script centers on a single woman who meets a mysterious man on a blind date, and he turns out to be a secret agent. Reports are saying that the movie will contain some action sequences and that the producers have already approached state officials about securing permits for the closing of bridges and roads during shooting. A location scout has been in the area looking at several neighborhoods spots for shooting scenes.
Apparently, 585 Commercial Street won’t actually be in the movie, just the command center for the production staff. The open parking in the lot next to the tennis courts is no longer available with those spaces now filled with “reserved” signs for movie personnel.
Be careful if you park on Commercial Street in front of the North End garage. One of 20th Century’s trucks did some damage to my car the other day. It was an accident and they’ve been totally professional and are taking care of me. But it’s still an inconvenience. Just be aware.