Published: 04:16 PM, Mon Oct 24, 2011
FAIRMONT - The last time moviegoers saw Colin Firth, he was stumbling through his lines as King George VI in "The King's Speech."
On Nov. 8, the Academy Award winner will be in Fairmont, along with Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt. The two will be shooting scenes for an upcoming film, "Arthur Newman, Golf Pro."
Fairmont Mayor Charles Kemp couldn't be happier about Hollywood coming to this Robeson County town. "We're really excited they're coming to film here," said Kemp. "They won't be here for long, but they'll be here."
Firth, who won an Academy Award for his role in "The King's Speech," and Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Adjustment Bureau"), will be part of a small crew, Kemp said, that will be filming scenes using the exterior of the Hector McLean Public Library, which will pose as a hotel, and the Fairmont Youth Opportunity Center, which is across from the library and is currently vacant.
"They came here a few weeks ago and scouted our downtown area," said Kemp. "They came in a big tour bus and deployed like army ants. They took some notes, stayed for a little while and then were gone again. They came back because they like the architecture."
"Arthur Newman, Golf Pro" will be the directorial debut of Dante Ariola, who has won a number of accolades for his work directing commercials for Coca Cola, Nike, ESPN and other high-profile brands.
Principal photography for the film began Oct. 10 in Wilmington and will continue across other statewide locations through the middle of November.
The film follows Wallace Avery (played by Firth), who has ruined his sole shot at living his dream. Afraid to face his failure, he hatches a plan to stage his death so he can recreate himself and take on a new identity. His plans take a turn when he meets a woman (Blunt) who is trying to escape her past as well.
News of the film crew's impending arrival was a surprise to Tony Hargett, branch manager of the Hector McLean Public Library. "I just found out today, but I think it's great," Hargett said Monday. "It's perfect for Fairmont."
Hargett wasn't sure how the crew would make the library look like a hotel, but he had faith.
"That might take some work," he said. "That's gonna be big time for us."
Kemp said the buzz is already building around town and beyond.
"Fairmont's Facebook has already had some comments, and people are already calling about the shoot," said Kemp. "I'm sure the day of the filming, we'll have a lot of people here just to see what's going on."
Kemp said he hopes the filming will give the town an economic shot in the arm, no matter how slight.
"Maybe they'll stop and get some gas or buy a hamburger," said Kemp. "One woman told me she couldn't believe Colin Firth was coming. It's not every day you can say that an Academy Award winner will be in your town."
Staff writer Brian Dukes can be reached at dukesb@fayobserver.com or 486-3523.
On Nov. 8, the Academy Award winner will be in Fairmont, along with Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt. The two will be shooting scenes for an upcoming film, "Arthur Newman, Golf Pro."
Fairmont Mayor Charles Kemp couldn't be happier about Hollywood coming to this Robeson County town. "We're really excited they're coming to film here," said Kemp. "They won't be here for long, but they'll be here."
Firth, who won an Academy Award for his role in "The King's Speech," and Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Adjustment Bureau"), will be part of a small crew, Kemp said, that will be filming scenes using the exterior of the Hector McLean Public Library, which will pose as a hotel, and the Fairmont Youth Opportunity Center, which is across from the library and is currently vacant.
"They came here a few weeks ago and scouted our downtown area," said Kemp. "They came in a big tour bus and deployed like army ants. They took some notes, stayed for a little while and then were gone again. They came back because they like the architecture."
"Arthur Newman, Golf Pro" will be the directorial debut of Dante Ariola, who has won a number of accolades for his work directing commercials for Coca Cola, Nike, ESPN and other high-profile brands.
Principal photography for the film began Oct. 10 in Wilmington and will continue across other statewide locations through the middle of November.
The film follows Wallace Avery (played by Firth), who has ruined his sole shot at living his dream. Afraid to face his failure, he hatches a plan to stage his death so he can recreate himself and take on a new identity. His plans take a turn when he meets a woman (Blunt) who is trying to escape her past as well.
News of the film crew's impending arrival was a surprise to Tony Hargett, branch manager of the Hector McLean Public Library. "I just found out today, but I think it's great," Hargett said Monday. "It's perfect for Fairmont."
Hargett wasn't sure how the crew would make the library look like a hotel, but he had faith.
"That might take some work," he said. "That's gonna be big time for us."
Kemp said the buzz is already building around town and beyond.
"Fairmont's Facebook has already had some comments, and people are already calling about the shoot," said Kemp. "I'm sure the day of the filming, we'll have a lot of people here just to see what's going on."
Kemp said he hopes the filming will give the town an economic shot in the arm, no matter how slight.
"Maybe they'll stop and get some gas or buy a hamburger," said Kemp. "One woman told me she couldn't believe Colin Firth was coming. It's not every day you can say that an Academy Award winner will be in your town."
Staff writer Brian Dukes can be reached at dukesb@fayobserver.com or 486-3523.
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