SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
A Manhattan punk-rock club – in Savannah – with a Harry Potter Crowd?
As unlikely as that sounds, it's exactly what's coming to Savannah.
Crews are set to begin filming June 25 on a film chronicling the rise and fall of the iconic nightclub CBGB. Stars include Alan Rickman – of Professor Severus Snape fame – and Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley). Rickman stars CBGB club owner Hilly Kristal, and Grint will play Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome.
The inside of the bar is set to be built in Savannah's Meddin Studios, where all the filming will take place. Nadine Jolson, spokeswoman for the film, said director Randall Miller was drawn to Savannah and to Meddin after producing the film Savannah in the Hostess City last year. Georgia's generous film tax credits were another draw, Jolson said.
Several big-name punk and new wave bands played CBGB, including the Ramones, the Misfits, Blondie, the Talking Heads and the Cramps. The club opened in 1973 and closed in 2006.
Shooting is expected to last about a month, and filmmakers will be looking for local extras, Jolson said.
Other stars include:
- Joel David Moore, of "Avatar"
- Stana Katic, of ABC's Castle
- Estelle Harris, of "Seinfeld"
- Julian Acosta, of "Thin Red Line"
- Josh Zucerman. of "Sex Drive"
- Ryan Hurst, of "Sons of Anarchy"
- Rickard De Klerk, of "Repeaters"
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