Made in Michigan

It looks like the movie business is here for the long haul

By Jeanine Matlow

The Midwest may not be known for moviemaking, but that’s about to change. More than two dozen features were filmed in and around the Motor City last year alone. And we’re just getting started. For now it may be the tax incentives that are sending productions our way, but there’s more to the story. The region is rich with atypical topography, the change of seasons and a work ethic that’s hard to beat. Move over Hollywood. Michigan is camera ready.

Here are some films that put Detroit on the movie map along with a sneak peek of what’s to come.

Betty Anne Waters - A biography starring Hilary Swank.

Clock Tower - A horror flick starring Brittany Snow.

The Irishman  – Story about mobster Danny Greene featuring Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ray Stevenson, Paul Sorvino, Vinny Vella, Linda Cardellini, Laura Ramsey.

Killshot  – Action Thriller starring Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke.

Miss January – Comedy starring Kim Cattrall and Brian Dennehy.

Street Boss – A film about a Detroit mobster starring Nicholas Turturro.

Up in the Air – Comedy/drama starring George Clooney.

Youth in Revolt – Starring Michael Cera, Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi and Justin Long.

What's Wrong With Virginia - Liam Neeson, Jennifer Connelly

Flipped - Aidan Quinn, Penelope Ann Miller, Anthony Edwards and Rebecca De Mornay.

Vengeance: A Love Story - Samuel L Jackson.

Whip It – Starring Drew Barrymore.

Stone - Robert DeNiro, Ed Norton, Milla Jovovich.

20% Fiction - Martin Landau.

Thanks to the constant whirl of activity, Janet Lockwood, director, Michigan Film Office in Lansing, says more people are moving back to Michigan every week. “Stages and studios are being built in the southeast part of the state now with more to come in the western part of the state in the future,” she says.

Though the tax incentives are no doubt the current draw, The Great Lake State is set to impress those in the industry. “We have much to offer – 3,000 miles of freshwater coastline, forests, farmland, dunes and film-friendly towns,” Lockwood says. Who could ask for anything more?

Share Link: