Hugh Jackman’s Reel Steel Filming Locations For June 11-18 In Livingston MI
The Dreamworks production for Reel Steel is finally going to start filming in Eastern Michigan. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Kevin Durand.
A future-set story where robot boxing is a popular sport and centered on a struggling promoter (Jackman) who thinks he’s found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he also discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.
From June 11 through 18 filming will occur on farmland in Livingston off Pleasant Valley Road south of M-59 in Hartland Township. ~livingstondaily.com
If you go down and check it out, help us narrow the location down.
If you have any information for filming locations, that you want to share whether you are extra, or you just know something send us an email. we would love to hear from you!! admin@beforethetrailer.com
I am excited that Hugh is facing movie cameras again, for a lead role!
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
Scene from robot flick to be shot in rural Hartland Twp. By Christopher Behnan • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • June 4, 2010
A film scout found the "ambiance" of a rural Hartland Township farm a perfect backdrop for a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, a local family said.
But the movie isn't about crop circles or fields of dreams of any kind. It's about boxing robots.
The opening sequence of "Real Steel" is planned to be shot on farmland off Pleasant Valley Road south of M-59 in Hartland Township from June 11-18, local officials said.
The farm is one of many owned by the Giegler family, a longstanding farming family in the Hartland Township community.
The production began preparations on the Giegler farm about three weeks ago, said Keith Porath, husband of Kimberly Porath, formerly Kimberly Giegler. Keith Porath said a location manager approached the family in the past few months to discuss a shoot on the farm.
"We thought, 'Whatever. It doesn't really hurt to take pictures,' " Keith Porath recalled. "I think it's good for the local economy. It's creating jobs," he said, adding the family will receive payment for use of the property.
"Real Steel" is set in the future and centers on a struggling boxing promoter who thinks he's found a champion in a discarded robot, according to a summary on the Internet Movie Database.
Actor Hugh Jackman plays the promoter.
The opening scene shows a semi-truck pulling up to lighted fairgrounds, said Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. She said part of the sequence will be shot from a helicopter. Convery became involved when the production considered shooting at the historical Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell. The courthouse was later ruled out.
DreamWorks LLC first planned to contract with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department to block a portion of Pleasant Valley Road during filming, said county Undersheriff Mike Murphy. Murphy said that fell through when the production decided to shoot without closing the roadway, and entirely on the farm property. "Real Steel" will take advantage of Michigan's generous film-credit program, which provides up to a 42 percent rebate on approved expenditures in Michigan.
The big-budget film, like most productions, will utilize a combination of out-of-town and Michigan workers, said Michigan Film Office spokesman Ken Droz. Droz said the production company has requested confidentiality on the annual film office report, which is allowed under state law.
The budget of "Real Steel" is expected to be similar to that of "Red Dawn," so far the movie with the largest budget shot in Michigan since the film incentive law was enacted in 2008, Droz said.
"This is a big, big production," he said. "Real Steel" will be the next in a growing list of film shoots in the county, including the film "High School," nearly all of which was shot at the Howell Public Schools Parker Campus in Marion Township; and "The Wannabes Starring Savvy," all of which so far has been shot at the Parker school.
Scenes for several other films also have been shot in the county, including for the Hilary Swank movie "Betty Anne Waters," the remake of "Red Dawn," "Youth in Revolt," and, most recently, "Salvation Boulevard." A film spokeswoman didn't immediately return messages Thursday. Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Christopher Behnan at (517) 548-7108 or at cbehnan@gannett.com.
Additional comments from an online reader --
quote:
PhoenixJen wrote:
7 days is only in Hartland.
"Real Steel" is in Michigan for 3 months.
Jobs: Many of the crew is local. They have a building in Troy, and even DOT registered vehicles.
Extras are paid (more than Minimum Wage). And are plentiful. Trust me from being at the casting call. Extras casting is done both via submissions to the main office in LA and also a local casting office (with ties to LA).
Jo, This is exciting. Hugh is the lead and RS could be a big hit. I wish I could be on location with Hugh. They wouldn't have to pay me to be an extra. I would pay them. LOL!
I'm halfway reading it -- and completely loving the story ( am sounding like a fangirl at the moment)... It is adorable - funny word to describe this human interest story, despite the insinuations that a sci-fi robot story implies.
Be back -- I have some errands to do -- but am looking forward to reading the rest. I peeked at the ending,though.
In some scenes, I am kinda reminded of the young Drew Barrymore and her attachment to her ET ...Hey, Steven Spielberg
Mark my words - if Hugh/Charlie does not watch it, Dakota/Max is going to steal this movie
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
I'm reading it too, but not loving it yet. Sorry, Jo. Maybe the visual will be better. I don't like IRON MAN either. It's the mechanical stuff that makes me yawn. Maybe the Charlie/Max chemistry on screen will help. Hope so. Your reference to ET is interesting to think about. Thanks for posting the link.
Originally posted by jo: Mark my words - if Hugh/Charlie does not watch it, Dakota/Max is going to steal this movie Jo
That´s what I thought. The movie dependes on how good actor this kid is. There are some scenes where he could look like a brat if they are not careful.I guess Dakota is cute enough to get away with this but they still should try to avoid the usual "annoyance" (is that even a word?) that kids in a movie can be.
I liked Avon Man more. I am a sci-fi geek and some scenes between Charlie and Max were really touching so I am glad for another potentially good sci-fi movei. But I guess I wasn´t in a mood to read a little depressing material like RS. It´s exciting to see Hugh doing a movie again. He did few supporting roles but this is a leading role (or one of two leading roles) so hopefully it will be good.
Disney taps exec VP of marketing Kevin Campbell to shepherd DreamWorks pics
By MARC GRASER
The Mouse House has tapped Kevin Campbell to shepherd the marketing campaigns for DreamWorks' slate of pics, starting with next year's "Real Steel."
Campbell, whose title is executive VP of marketing, will report to Disney's prexy of marketing, MT Carney.
DreamWorks' pics will be distributed through Disney's Touchstone banner. "Real Steel," a robot boxing drama that stars Hugh Jackman, bows Nov. 18, 2011.
Campbell will work closely with DreamWorks' senior marketing execs to develop the promotional efforts for the rollout of those films.
"Kevin has a tremendous portfolio of work in the film industry and will bring a wealth of experience to our already impressive team," Carney said. "Just as we strive to work with the very best filmmakers and talent, we need to continue to look for team members that are of the highest caliber and we're excited to have Kevin join us."
Campbell's resume includes three years as executive VP of marketing at 20th Century Fox, where he developed campaigns for "The Simpsons Movie," "Night at the Museum," "The Devil Wears Prada," "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown."
Before that, he also established Universal Pictures' digital marketing group in 1999, as senior VP of digital marketing. He began his work at U as a VP of national publicity. He left the studio in 2005 as senior VP of marketing, a post he'd had for three years, during which he marketed such pics as "Meet the Fockers," "A Beautiful Mind," "Ray" and "Bruce Almighty."
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
Okay - done reading the entire script, including the last argument about breakfast and burgers
I find it a very heartwarming story. And maybe because I am an occasional sports-mad fan, I also enjoyed the moments when adrenaline flowed, when the crowds roared in approval, flinched at the agony of defeat and savored the headiness of triumph. I am not a boxing fan ( I winch at violent sports) but I love sports that call for physical agility, mental strength and even emotional balance ( my fave spectator sports now are Formula One motorsports and tennis)...so I could empathize with Charlie's love for sports. I also liked the human qualities that were embued on the "bots", which gave this story a humanity that was not too much expected of sci-fi characters.
I hope Shawn Levy ( with Steven Spielberg looking over his shoulder) can fully draw out the human drama that underlies this story as well as provide full-on thrilling scenes... and thus give us an entertaining time at the cinema.
Psst - I had once gone to Madison Square Garden for a graduation ceremony for a nephew -- the last fight in the plot gave me a sense of deja vu and made me appreciate this sports hall icon (I've seen some basketball games and hockey games on TV played there - ironically, never boxing) even more.
Btw, this is going to be another departure from previous roles for Hugh -- he plays a loser whose love for the sport gave him redemption ( becoming a real father) and a chance to relive some sports glory again. It's going to be different watching Hugh playing neither hero or villain - just an ordinary folk
Originally posted by CarouselKathy: I'm reading it too, but not loving it yet. Sorry, Jo. Maybe the visual will be better. I don't like IRON MAN either. It's the mechanical stuff that makes me yawn. Maybe the Charlie/Max chemistry on screen will help. Hope so. Your reference to ET is interesting to think about. Thanks for posting the link.
I agree Kathy-how r u by the way-but if Hugh is in it I will like it-I really dont like X men but its Hugh!
Posts: 7274 | Location: lavallette,nj | Registered: May 02, 2004
jo, I had a feeling in the end that they are both selfish losers, but happy losers because they are together But I don´t think this is something Hugh hasn´t done before. It´s a loser type, yes, but mostly "I look like I don´t care about anybody but I have a big heart that I am hiding". I think Drover was that, even Wolverine (at least in the movies). I don´t know, maybe it´s just me but I really feel a hint of selfishness in Charlie and Max - and I like that. It´s like Tommy in The Fountain, who tried so desperately to keep Izzy alive that he ignored her wishes and pleas. RS and The Fountain can´t be compared, of course, but I like that Hugh is choosing this type of characters.
And Hugh or no Hugh, I am a sci-fi fan, so I would probably go to see RS anyway.
Even though Charlie and Max may be losers and a little selfish, I think the term "real steel" has to do with more than just the robots. It's an allusion to the grit and determination they show in soldiering on against overwhelming odds.
Side note: If Levey films the scene as written with several bruisers converging on Charlie, I will likely grimace and maybe look away. (At least with Victor/Sabretooth, you knew Hugh would heal quickly, LOL.)
Ellen
Posts: 8616 | Location: NJ | Registered: March 19, 2004
maybe it´s just me but I really feel a hint of selfishness in Charlie and Max - and I like that.
Neither heroes nor villains, just ordinary folks with human frailties
quote:
Side note: If Levey films the scene as written with several bruisers converging on Charlie, I will likely grimace and maybe look away. (At least with Victor/Sabretooth, you knew Hugh would heal quickly, LOL.)
I was grimacing as I read the script and visualized how Hugh would look like with two blackeyes ...though I was thinking maybe he might look like a panda
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
Even though Charlie and Max may be losers and a little selfish, I think the term "real steel" has to do with more than just the robots. It's an allusion to the grit and determination they show in soldiering on against overwhelming odds.
Exactly my interpretation, too!
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
Yes -- do you remember that scene when he got emotional as he said goodbye to her by the car? His face flushed with emotion - he is a very good actor!
He also sings SOLILOQUY ( check YouTube) with affectionate bluster for his imaginary son and with caring poignancy for his imaginary daughter -- he sings it with such emotion, rather than just the usual showing off of the vocal vibes.
We've seen him with Ava...and in earlier times, with Oscar -- he is such a nurturing and a happy parent.
Maybe part of the reasons he accepted this role is because of the father-son relationship it portrays in the storyline?
Jo
Posts: 10766 | Location: philippines | Registered: August 15, 2003
Max is 11 which is very close to Oscar´s age so it could help Hugh to be a father of this kid. And I guess all Jackmans are with Hugh so Oscar and Dakota will probalby meet
... Busy sked sends a clear message that DreamWorks is back in business, as well as a hopeful spot for agents and talent battling a slowdown in the number of studio films being made.
And there are probably no busier presidents of production than Holly Bario and Mark Sourian, who share the top job at DreamWorks. They report to, and work closely with, Stacey Snider and Steven Spielberg, who together run the company. Bario worked with Snider at U; Sourian has been at DreamWorks for 14 years.
The third iteration of DreamWorks is more nimble than before, explaining why it's been able to amass a slate of films so quickly. Because studios are beholden to key producers, they're notorious for their bureaucracy and slow pace in making decisions.
"We can say no really fast, and we can say yes really fast," Bario said. "We're servicing our agenda, not the agenda of others."
Sourian said the idea is to produce a "diverse and varied slate" of four to six films a year, including two tentpoles. Three will be reasonably-budgeted genre films, while one will be a "project we just can't pass up," he says. "It's about paying attention to fewer movies," Sourian said.
Via DreamWorks' distribution deal with Disney, five of the six titles opening next year will go out via Touchstone. DreamWorks also will partner with other studios from time to time. "Cowboys" will be distributed by U domestically and Paramount overseas.
This week, the Mouse announced it has hired marketing exec Kevin Campbell to serve as liaison with DreamWorks. Campbell, another Universal alum, will work hand and glove with DreamWorks marketing topper Christine Birch. He was tapped by MT Carney, Disney's new marketing topper, Snyder and Birch.
In the year that DreamWorks had to wait for funding, the studio could only work on projects it already held rights to, such as Hugh Jackman starrer "Real Steel" and Daniel Craig topliner "Cowboys & Aliens." There were no funds to buy new material.
That means that "Number Four," "Fight Night," "The Help" and "War Horse" have all come together this year, for the most part. Casting isn't yet complete for either "The Help" or "War Horse."
Alien-themed "Number Four" is DreamWorks' first 2011 release, opening Feb. 18. Michael Bay brought the project to the studio and is producing. Pic is based on a HarperCollins young adult book that hits the stands this summer. Book was penned by James Frey and Jobie Hughes under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore.
"Number Four" is followed by graphic novel adaptation "Cowboys & Aliens," which opens July 29. "War Horse," a passion project for Spielberg and based on the stage play and classic children's tome, opens Aug. 10, 2011.
Robot fighting tentpole "Real Steel" is set for a pre-Thanksgiving bow on Nov. 18...
Marketing-wise, it looks like REAL STEEL will get prime attention from Disney as it is pegged as one of 2 tentpoles that Dreamworks is releasing in 2011 - out of 6 films it is slating for release next year.
It looks like it is going to be a pre-Thanksgiving showdown among Robots allied with the Mouse vs Penguins vs Vampires
EDIT: Someone has told me that one of the producers has mentioned in his message board that they are planning to have an excellent merchandise tie-up for REAL STEEL.
Atom ROBOT toys for Christmas??? Or would you rather have both ATOM and COLOSSUS??
I guess the tie-up with Christmas wish lists ( for boys and older boys and maybe even for girls... and older girls, assuming there is a Charlie toy, too ) is one of the reasons why the movie is coming out on the pre-Thanksgiving weekend
Well, I finished reading REAL STEEL, and I think it's going to be an audience pleaser. It's sort of a "Rocky" type story, and I agree that the 11 year old will probably steal the movie. Jo, I see the ET similarity a bit. Because some of Hugh's best screen moments have been with kids, I think he is just the guy to pull this off, and it's gritty enough to please critics, I hope. In the hands of any other actor, it might seem predictable. The screen chemistry between the father and son have to carry this and make it seem fresh and touching. Fingers crossed.
... It is adorable - funny word to describe this human interest story, despite the insinuations that a sci-fi robot story implies.
...Hey, Steven Spielberg 
...though I was thinking maybe he might look like a panda 