Mobile is having a moment on the big screen: not one but two feature films are in production around the Port City this month, and locals have a shot at appearing in one of them.
The bigger draw for star-spotters is “Arkansas,” a crime drama filming in the area with Liam Hemsworth and Vince Vaughn. The two actors have been spotted all over the greater Mobile area while on location — Hemsworth has been seen dining at Arroy Thai on Government Street, at La Dolce Vita in Spanish Fort and grabbing coffee at The Coffee Loft in Fairhope, while both stars have turned up at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. Miley Cyrus also made a low-key visit to the area, stopping with Hemsworth at The End of the Line Café in Pensacola.
Extras wanted at Battleship Park
The second production, the romantic comedy “This is the Year” starring Madison Iseman, Vanessa Marano and Gregg Sulkin, is shooting locally as well — and it needs crowd faces. Filmmakers are staging a large music-festival scene at Battleship Park on Saturday, Nov. 17, and are casting extras who look ready for an outdoor festival. Details are available through the film’s official website.
Bon Jovi, meanwhile, plays it private
Adding to the celebrity traffic, Jon Bon Jovi headlined a private concert at the Saenger Theatre for the 50th anniversary of JM Family Enterprises. Afterward, word is the singer stopped into Veet’s downtown before departing, with his band lingering to jam with house band The Family Jewels.