Movie to be shot in Syracuse and Central New York

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Filming in Central New York is expected to begin by the end of summer on “The Opium War,” the first movie to be produced by the Syracuse area’s new movie company, The Film House, company officials announced today.

The story of a female astronaut who is offered a smuggling job to pay for repairs to her ship, the movie will star Gina Carano (“Fast and Furious 6,” “Haywire”) and Stephen Lang (“Avatar”), both of whom are in contract negotiations, Film House executives said.

The Film House will be the first tenant at a nanotechnology center that New York state is developing at Collamer Crossings Business Park in DeWitt, under the auspices of the College of Nanoscale Science and Technology. Construction on the first office building, where Film House will be based, is scheduled to begin next month.

“The Opium War” will require six to seven months of post-production special effects work, which will be performed at the DeWitt location, officials said.

“The Opium War” will cost more than $10 million to produce and will bring 400 temporary jobs to Central New York, said Alain Kaloyeros, CEO of the nanoscale college. The Film House also is expected to hire 100 permanent workers this year for its DeWitt operation, he said.

“We are excited to announce our first of many major projects to be filmed and produced in New York state,” said Ryan R. Johnson, president and CEO of The Film House.
Johnson said he is currently scouting locations to shoot parts of the movie, including downtown Syracuse.

“This project will be an excellent beginning to our film production industry, and we look forward to seeing Upstate New York featured in ‘The Opium War,’ ” said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney in a news release.