Years after the film first started rolling cameras in Wilmington, the jazz biopic “Bolden!” is resuming production in the Port City this week, starting with scenes today at the City Club of Wilmington.
The on-again, off-again production is filming “interior upscale mansion scenes” at the downtown club, according to a permit filed with the city last week. Two cast members, nine extras and as many as 135 crew members are planned for the shoot, which could affect traffic on Dock Street between Second and Third streets until 9 p.m.
Street closures are permitted on that portion of Dock during filming, though the permit indicates intermittent closures could take place when full closures are not necessary.
The shoot is the first in Wilmington since production moved from Atlanta, where the years-in-the-making feature film has been shooting the past six weeks.
The film stars Gary Carr (“Downton Abbey”) as cornet player Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans musician regarded as the father of jazz. The film also stars Ian McShane (“Deadwood”), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead”) and Nelsan Ellis (“True Blood”), among others.
Carr replaces previous star Anthony Mackie—one of several recasts for this latest round of filming. McShane portrays Bolden’s nemesis, Judge Perry, while Ellis plays an entrepreneur who manages Bolden’s band.
Slated to feature music by Wynton Marsalis, the film is directed and written by Dan Pritzker.
“Bolden!” is the feature film to shoot in Wilmington this year. It joins the Nicholas Sparks project “The Choice,” which is wrapping production this week, and the Fox TV series “Sleepy Hollow,” which is filming into January.
Related story: Ian McShane, ‘True Blood’ star join cast of feature film ‘Bolden!’
Jonathan Spiers is a reporter for Port City Daily. He can be reached at (910) 772-6313 or jonathan.s@portcitydaily.com. On Twitter: @jrspiers
