Move over Hollywood
Star seekers in Virginia may want to cast their vote for governor to Terry McAuliffe. If he’s elected, you can bet there will be a lot more paparazzi stalking celebrities in the commonwealth.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate announced last week that he plans to make Virginia the top East Coast destination for film production. He met with Virgina film industry representatives to discuss his plans.
At first, we at Yeas & Nays thought the idea sounded a bit odd, but upon further investigation, we discovered Virginia has been the background for everything from British invasions to alien invasions.
With its close proximity to Washington and its wide variety of architecture, Richmond is the state’s most popular filming destination, doubling as Washington in several films. “Dave” with Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, “The Jackal” starring Richard Gere and Bruce Willis, “The Contender” with Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen and “First Kid” starring Sinbad all filmed in Virginia’s capital.
Tom Cruise and Anthony Hopkins are two actors who have traveled several times to Virginia for films. Cruise has been filmed running from trouble all over the Old Dominion — in Hampton Roads for “Mission Impossible III” and “Minority Report” and the Shenandoah Valley for “War of the Worlds.” Hopkins came to Richmond for “Hannibal” and “Hearts in Atlantis” and his “Silence of the Lambs” co-star Jodie Foster filmed training for the FBI in Quantico.
More recently HBO’s Emmy Award winning miniseries “John Adams” filmed scenes in the Virginian cities of Richmond, Goochland, Powhatan and, not surprisingly, colonial Williamsburg.
Sounds like Virginia really is for film lovers.
