Star-studded major motion picture set to start production soon in Humboldt County

A Warner Bros. feature film, referred to as “BC” to the public, was previously announced to begin shooting mid January locally. Film industry buffs have speculated this project could be a Warner Bros. film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, following a Deadline scoop highlighting more production details about the film.

Deadline reported Wednesday the Anderson film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Regina Hall. The name and details of the plot are under wraps. This film is set to begin production Jan. 21 in Northern California, according to reporting from The Film Stage.

Jordan Raup, editor-in-chief of The Film Stage said the BC project in Eureka is employing Anderson’s usual casting agent and the production timelines line up in an email. In an X post, formerly known as Twitter, Raup pointed out the link between the projects.

This idea has not been confirmed by officials from the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission or announced by Warner Bros. and more information will become public following the production. Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine refused to comment on whether the rumors were true; keeping details private is an industry standard for film productions.

Hesseltine said that when films come to the area, it usually brings a significant impact on the local economy.

“For every dollar they spend on the production (the direct spending), it feels like almost three times that (after the dollars circulate in the economy and their after-hour spending on dinners, days off, etc). It’s also very impactful when filming takes place in winter months as opposed to summer months,” due to tourism, she said in an email to the Times-Standard.

Blockbusters shot locally include “Wrinkle in Time,” “E.T.” and “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.”

Deadline reported the Anderson movie is in a contemporary setting and more commercial than normal for Anderson, who directed “Boogie Nights” and “There Will Be Blood.” Variety reported that insiders say the Anderson film has a budget of around $100 million.

Anderson wrote the script and JoAnne Sellar is a producer, according to IMDB.

The BC project previously noted it was seeking specific vehicles in a Facebook post, but Hesseltine said Thursday that no vehicles are needed at this time.

Locals needed

Casting is ongoing for actors age 12 and older with more details at a Facebook page

Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504.