“The first few days of shooting have been just outstanding,” said Hamilton native Jay Davis, a producer for Rabbit Bandini, Franco’s production company that is making the film. “There have been a ton of extras who have volunteered their time. It’s great to have people helping out around town.”
The feature-length film is adapted from the William Gay novel by the same name, and directed and produced by Franco, who is also starring in the film alongside “The Hunger Games” actor Josh Hutcherson, Davis confirmed.
Also cast are Courtney Love, former frontwoman of the 1990s garage band Hole, along with the Hollywood and television actors Ashton Kutcher, Josh Hartnett, Tim Blake Nelson, Don Johnson, Giancarlo Esposito and Scott Haze.
The first two weeks of shooting take place at an old farmhouse “about 15 minutes outside of Hamilton,” he said.
Other shooting locations for the 1940s period piece include Eaton in Preble County, Camp Kern in Warren County, and around North Second Street of Hamilton’s Historic German Village. Two days of filming will also occur just outside of Hamilton’s city limits in more rural woods and river areas, Davis said.
"The Long Home" is one of two James Franco films being shot simultaneously in the Greater Cincinnati area. "Goat" is being co-produced by Rabbit Bandini — which is run by Franco and Hamilton High School graduates Vince Jolivette and Davis— and Cincinnati production company Killer Films. The Greater Cincinnati Film Commission and Film Hamilton are also involved in the films.
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