Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Manila to make it first in Hollywood through Bourne Legacy

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
It had been a warm welcomed for the Philippines this year after the hit spy action thriller franchise chooses Manila as their location for its fourth installment film “Bourne Legacy”. Scheduled to be released in theaters Aug. 3, the film was written and is being directed by Tony Gilroy -- who penned the first three films -– and will be the first without Matt Damon playing the title role. Bourne is not a character in the new movie. Jeremy Renner, instead, will portray an agent in the same line of business as Bourne, with Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton co-starring.

The film had already start shooting in the country since January 11 in selected locations in Manila and will also shoot a scene at the country’s pride El Nido, Palawan, an island province known for its pristine beaches and tropical rain forests.

Three Filipino actors were reportedly to play a role in the Hollywood film – Iza Calzado, Sid Lucero and Jericho Rosales. Some local residents particularly in the Leveriza Street were also tapped to play bit roles.
Before the Bourne Manila has a history of being used to portray other cities like Jakarta in Peter Weir’s 1982 drama “The Year of Living Dangerously,” Bangkok in Jonathan Kaplan’s 1999 thriller “Brokedown Palace,” and Panama City in Showtime’s 2000 biopic “Noriega: God’s Favorite.” 

“Legacy,” however, will be the first notable Hollywood movie to represent the capital as itself. Action scenes including a helicopter hovering above the financial district and a long car chase through a major thoroughfare are to be shot in the city, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.


Rachel Weisz at the first shooting day of “Bourne Legacy” in San Andres Complex, Manila

British actress Rachel Weisz takes a break from the set of “Bourne Legacy”

Officials in the Philippines are hoping "Bourne" will play a vital role in elevating the country's profile in Hollywood. "This will generate great interest in our country since [it demonstrates] we can provide the facilities for such big productions,” the Film Development Council of the Philippines said in a statement.

Though there are no film incentives available in the Philippines, the Film Development Council touts its cheap transportation, accommodations and labor, as well as widespread fluency in English as factors that can make the country more attractive to Hollywood filmmakers. “It is also a melting pot culture where locations can be depicted as Asian, Hispanic or prewar American,” the council said.

Below are the shooting locations in Manila and dates:

Jan. 11 to 13 (Wednesday to Friday) - Leveriza St. from Quirino to San Andres

Jan. 11 to 13 (Wednesday to Friday) - San Andres St. from Orosa to Guerrero

Jan. 14 (Saturday) - San Andres St. from Guerrero to Taft Ave.

Jan. 15 (Sunday) - Leveriza St. from Ilang-ilang to Quirino Ave.

Jan. 15 (Sunday) - Quirino Ave. from M. Adriatico to Bagong Lipunan

Jan. 18 and 19 (Wednesday and Thursday) - Jorge Bocobo St., corner Remedios Circle

Jan. 18 and 19 (Wednesday and Thursday) - Remedios Circle

Jan. 25 (Wednesday), Feb. 17 and 18 (Friday and Saturday) - Sta. Lucia St.

Jan. 25 (Wednesday), Feb. 17 and 18 (Friday and Saturday) - Real St.

Jan. 25 (Wednesday), Feb. 17 and 18 (Friday and Saturday) - Riverside Drive

Feb. 5 (Sunday) - Jones Bridge

Feb. 8 to 15 (Wednesday to Wednesday) - Ramon Magsaysay Blvd.

No specific dates yet indicated for the following places:

Marikina City Public Market
Ayala Ave. (Makati)
Navotas City Fish Port
EDSA corner Taft Ave.
El Nido, Palawan

Sources: Metro Manila Development Authority, Manila City Hall

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