Filming begins at old jail for "Suicide Squad" sequel

Filming at the former Joint Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way is well underway for the movie “The Suicide Squad.”

Scenes were shot at the old jail Tuesday and will continue Wednesday. Trailers are lined up on Fourth Street and in the parking lot, with Richmond County deputies providing security around the set. Fourth Street between Walton Way and Watkins Street was closed Monday.

Augusta Regional Film Office Director Brad Owens said big productions like this put the city on the map for future projects. The film office connects producers with local resources, including assistance with locations, local crews and acts as a liasion between local government and business entities.

“It might not be as great as a movie that comes and films for a month, but we are certainly glad to have any movie coming to town in any capacity, especially one of this size,” Owens said.

The movie is being directed by James Gunn and is a sequel to the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad.”

“The smaller films that come to town are better for the local film workers, but we are glad to have any film in town,” Owens said. “Any film that comes to town is better than no films coming to town, especially when you got one so big.”

One advantage Augusta has over the rest of the state is the old jail site. Owens said there is no other jail or building like it in the state that is empty and usable for filming. He credited the city for making it available and marketing it.

In March, the Augusta Commission voted to demolish the building at 401 Walton Way to make way for a new Juvenile Court facility. The building was closed in 2014, abandoned after years of complaints about water leaks, mold and health problems.

Owens hopes the city reconsiders the plan because the building is a great asset to have for possible future films. The building can be used as a hospital, military headquarters or jail since it looks modern, he said.

“It would be my hope that the city might consider instead of demolition, maybe multi-purpose,” Owens said. “In other words, is there a possibility that the building could be saved. That would be my preference because it makes us that much more marketable.”

Although Augusta is considered a location town, Owens said, it has the same incentives as Atlanta, since the tax incentives are statewide.

Unlike Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule,” which was filmed last year in downtown Augusta, the set is closed to the public. Owens said people are more likely to see stars downtown at restaurants and bars than outside the set.

“Most of the people that got to meet Clint Eastwood met him having a drink over at Augustino’s, if I’m not mistaken. The reality is that if you want to get a glimpse of them, the movie set is not the place to go,” Owens said. “I would discourage anyone from trying to get a peek at the location.”

"The Suicide Squad," starring Margot Robbie, Taika Waititi, John Cena, Idris Elba, Viola Davis and Pete Davidson, is expected to be released in 2021. The first film had a $175 million production budget and pulled in $746.8 million at the box office.