NEWS

Augusta locations play a big role in Eastwood's 'The Mule'

Sarah LeBlanc
sarah.leblanc@augustachronicle.com

Clint Eastwood's movie "The Mule" is finally hitting the big screen.

Premiering in Augusta cinemas Friday, the movie filmed in the area for three weeks during the summer. Dozens of the director and actor's fans followed his production crew around the city, and more than 100 gathered downtown to watch Eastwood film scenes at First Community Bank in June.

The film is based off the true story of Leo Sharp, an 87-year-old drug mule for a Mexican cartel.

Eight local locations were used for scenes in the movie, some of which can be easily identified. Shaw's Sunshine Gardens on Lumpkin Park Drive was a significant location, since Eastwood's character Earl Stone is a horticulturalist. The movie also filmed in and around Atlanta.

Brad Owens, director of the Augusta Regional Film Office, said Eastwood's presence in Augusta should help attract other films to the area.

"Anytime someone who’s a legend like that comes to town it certainly puts you on the map," Owens said.

While Owens said he was glad the movie filmed in the area and spent money at local hotels and restaurants, he was disappointed that no local crew was hired behind the camera, only extras. He said the movie filmed in Augusta because of the locations, along with tax credits Georgia offers production companies.

"We're a locations town," Owens said. "They came here because the locations matched the script."

Renee Oliver was an extra in the movie, and worked with Eastwood for three days at the DoubleTree hotel on Perimeter Parkway. She said she was featured in a banquet-type scene where Eastwood's character received an award for his flowers.

"I just think it’s so fun because I'm a movie buff, so actually being a part of it and seeing how it’s made, how many times they have to do a cut and how they cut and edit, I really like that portion the most," Oliver said. "Just seeing it all put together at the end is really great."

Oliver has been an extra before, but said she enjoyed working with Eastwood and was surprised at how humble he was.

"He’s a legend in my book," Oliver said. "I feel like I’ve known this man since I was a teenager and he was like, 'You can come shake my hand.'"

Oliver plans to attend a showing at Riverwatch Cinemas with other extras on Friday. At the DoubleTree, she estimates there were about 50 other local extras working alongside her.

Charlie and Debra Shaw, who own Shaw's Sunshine Gardens, are seeing the movie in style. They flew out to Los Angeles to watch a special cast and crew screening of the movie Thursday.

Scenes in Augusta reportedly include a funeral scene, a wedding scene for Stone's granddaughter Ginny, played by Taissa Farmiga, a graduation-type scene, and a bar scene at the DoubleTree.

Jennifer Bowen, film liaison with Film Augusta and vice president of destination development with the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, said "The Mule" was beneficial to Augusta from an economic and marketing standpoint.

"This business really does a lot of word of mouth referral and they’ve expressed that they had a very positive experience here, a lower cost experience here versus Atlanta, and so I do know that those people will tell others about that and it will in the long run help spread the word about Augusta as a film destination," Bowen said.

Bowen said about five movies have filmed in Augusta, including "The Encounter," "Saving Zoe," and "Detroit Crossing." "The Mule" has had the greatest economic impact, of about $1.1 million in Augusta and $9 million in Georgia.

That money went to restaurants, location fees, and hiring Richmond County sheriff's deputies.

"It’s a huge economic impact boost for Augusta because they brought in everybody and they stayed in local hotels so they’re paying the lodging fee and the lodging tax and their transportation cost coming in," Bowen said.

Bowen said the movie could lead to more tourism, with people coming to Augusta to see where Eastwood filmed.

"People have a real interest in movie locations and so we can now start promoting where 'The Mule' shot and we can promote that for film tourism and especially someone with the fame such as Clint Eastwood, people are really kind of curious about that," Bowen said.

Bowen said the scenes in Augusta were shot at First Community Bank on Broad Street, the Augusta Museum of History, St. Paul's Church, Bethlehem Advent Christian Church and homes on Central Avenue and in the Harrisburg neighborhood. Respectively, the homes act as the residences of Stone's wife Mary, played by Dianne Wiest, and Ginny.

Other stars in the movie include Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena and Alison Eastwood, Clint Eastwood's daughter.

'THE MULE'

"The Mule," directed by Clint Eastwood, with some scenes filmed in Augusta, opens nationwide today. The film is rated R for language throughout and brief sexuality/nudity.

What's it about? Broke, alone and facing foreclosure on his business, Earl Stone takes a job as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. His success leads to a larger shipment that draws the attention of DEA agent Colin Bates. When Earl's past mistakes start to weigh on his conscience, he must decide whether to right those wrongs before law enforcement and cartel thugs catch up to him.

Where to watch: Check local theater listings online to confirm times before you go this weekend. Opening night times are:

Evans Stadium Cinemas: 1:15, 4:15, 7 and 9:45 p.m.; 4365 Towne Center Drive, Evans; (706) 869-1269

Regal Aiken Mall Cinema 8: 1:35, 4:15, 7:20 and 9:30 p.m.; 300 East Gate Drive, Aiken; (803) 641-0900

Regal Augusta Exchange 20: 12:50, 2, 5, 6:15, 8, 9:05 and 11 p.m.; 1144 Agerton Lane; (706) 667-6653 or (706) 667-8585

Riverwatch Cinemas 12: 12:15, 1:15, 3:15, 4:15, 6:30, 7:15 and 10 p.m.; 832 Cabela Drive; (706) 723-1502, gtcmovies.com

Find showtimes for local cinemas online at regmovies.com for Regal Augusta Exchange, and gtcmovies.com for GTC Riverwatch Cinemas on Cabela Drive.

For more information