'Locksmith,' starring Ryan Phillipe, Kate Bosworth, Ving Rhames, to film in Las Cruces
Updated at 12:27 p.m. Nov. 12 with information on economic impact and road closures.
LAS CRUCES - Filming of "The Locksmith" is scheduled to begin Monday and last through Dec. 17 within Doña Ana County.
The feature film produced by Mark David and Roger Goff stars stars Ryan Phillippe ("MacGruber," "Big Sky"), Kate Bosworth ("The Long Road Home," "Force of Nature") and Ving Rhames ("Mission: Impossible – Fallout," "Pulp Fiction").
The movie is being directed by Nicholas Harvard ("Hell or High Water," "Yellowstone"), a veteran first assistant director who will be directing his first feature film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The New Mexico Film Office reports the "The Locksmith" is the story of an expert locksmith fresh out of prison who tries to work his way back into the life of his daughter and his ex-girlfriend, who is now a police detective. Things get complicated after an unexpected kidnapping.
The production will employ approximately 65 New Mexico crew members and 200 New Mexico background talent, according to the New Mexico Film Office.
The Film Las Cruces office estimates the film will inject $2 million into the local economy.
Much of the filming will take place at the intersection of Solano Drive and East Madrid Avenue, leading to that intersection being closed to traffic for certain hours between Nov. 16 to Nov. 24.
“We are excited to announce yet another production in Las Cruces, undoubtedly an up-and-coming hot spot for production in New Mexico,” Amber Dodson, director of the New Mexico Film Office, said.
Jeff Steinborn:How to welcome the film industry to Las Cruces
The production is the fourth in as many weeks to film in the Las Cruces area.
"Knight," starring Bruce Willis, filmed a bank robbery and standoff scene in downtown Las Cruces on Oct. 26, and reportedly scenes around the Field of Dreams a few days later.
Another movie — believed to be "Hot Seat," starring Mel Gibson — filmed at Young Park and at the Electronic Caregiver building Nov. 1-7.
"Chupa," the story of a young boy who discovers a young Chupacabra while on a family trip to Mexico, filmed at various places in New Mexico, including in Mesilla on Thursday, where set designers transformed Calle de Parian into a Mexican mercado.
Goff, one of "The Locksmith" producers, said making the film in southern New Mexico — where filmmakers get an additional 5% rebate for filming outside of the Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor — has been a "huge benefit."
"The locations are stunning, the weather is beautiful, the people are welcoming and helpful. I can’t imagine a better production experience or where else we could have made this film that would have been better," Goff said in the New Mexico Film Office news release.
Citizens 18 years and older who are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are interested in working as paid non-speaking background actors should email their photo and contact information to jon@manowinespirits.com.
Film Las Cruces, in a news release, notes the production will not be using real weapons or blanks and instead will be using rubber guns and adding flash and sound during post production.
For additional information on the production, contact locksmithfilm2021@gmail.com.
Road detours
The intersection of Solano Drive and East Madrid Avenue will be closed to traffic periodically from Nov. 16 to Nov. 24 for filming of "The Locksmith." Street detour signs will be marked to ensure access to businesses and residents. The intersection will be closed at the following times:
- Tuesday, Nov 16: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 17: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov 18: 4 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (the morning of Friday. Nov. 19)
- Friday, Nov. 19: 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the morning of Saturday, Nov. 20)
- Tuesday, Nov 23: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov 24: 10:30 a.m. to midnight