Hollywood heavyweights weigh in
Read more: Local
If you bump into a few Hollywood actors over the next few weeks, don't be surprised. They're filming a movie in Genesee County called: Alleged. It's a story about the Scopes Monkey Trial and the Creation-Evolution debate.
It also brings several major actors to the screen.
Genesee County's historic Crossroads Village is the backdrop of the movie set back in 1925.
Director Tom Hines says, "There's so much original history that is just lending itself to the film."
A few things had to change to get Crossroads Village movie-ready. For instance, the Davison Depot is now the Dayton Station. That's because the movie is based in Dayton, Tennessee.
To achieve an authentic vintage look, the wheelchair ramps have been taken out, since they weren't required by law back then.
Garry Pringle, Crossroads Village Manager, says "Most of the buildings are staying the same. If you look around, they changed the names and window dressings. They change the retail stores. We removed the merchandise, and they've put in their fixtures."
The simple setting is being taken over by bright lights, production crews, and miles of cords and cable.
One of the actresses in the movie is Ashley Johnson. You may remember her as Mel Gibson's daughter in the movie "What Women Want." in the movie Alleged, she's playing a much older part.
Two other Hollywood Heavyweights also weigh in. Fred Thompson is playing William Jennings Bryant and Brian Dennehy is playing Clarance Darrow.
The movie's writer is East Lansing native Fred Foote.
For those visiting the area, they say MidMichigan is one of the best kept secrets for movies.
Director Tom Hines says, "I've already been calling my friends back in LA, directors, saying 'You've got to see this place. It's unbelievable. Find a period script, because I have a place to shoot a period movie.'"
The movie Alleged should be ready by this April. However, it's still waiting on distribution for when it'll hit theaters.
Also, even with all the filming at Crossroads Village, its halloween celebration will continue as normal.
