Posts Tagged ‘Catherine Keener’

Three years ago, when New England’s own Captain Richard Phillips surrendered himself to Somali pirates in order to save his crew. We’re pretty sure he wasn’t thinking about Hollywood Tom Hanks wearing his shoes? The film’s name is still bobbing, (tentatively titled “Captain Philips” we hear) but with a Hollywood crew a float the  “Maersk Alabama” ship is ready to sail right here in the Bay State. All aboard!

The flick is based on Phillip’s memoir, “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals, and Dangerous Days at Sea”. In April 2009, the cargo ship Maersk Alabama en route to Kenya with aid was hijacked off the coast of Somali. Philips was held at gunpoint in a lifeboat until rescued four days later by navy SEAL snipers in a nighttime mission.

We know this that C.P Casting Carolyn Pickman is surfing for actors. Just a few weeks ago auditions were held at Philips alma mater Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay and dozens came ashore. Pickman is seeking graduates and those with actual maritime experience.

No rumors that Hanks is buzzing on the bay yet, but will be this March. Along with The 40 Year Old Virgin, Catherine Keener playing his wife, Andrea Phillips. Keener has joined Columbia Picture’s big screen adaptation of the real-life story

Here’s who else is on deck. Columbia Pictures is sailing while Paul Greengrass is directing from a Billy Ray script. Kevin Spacey, Michael DeLuca, Scott Rudin and Dana Brunetti are all producing the real life flick of a heroic Captain. You might remember some of this crew from The Social Networkwho also shot here in Massachusetts a few years ago.

This film is just more proof that Hollywood Filmmakers return to Massachusetts because you can’t beat the benefits. The State of the Massachusetts Film Tax Credit is cruising and with Lisa Stout as our Captain this crew feels secure. The Massachusetts Film Office is in works of revamping their site with location pictures across the State. Keeping Hollywood East on radar.