Be on the lookout for actors Matthew McConaughey and Bruce Willis as you’re zipping around Northeast Ohio. Both descended on the area in the past week to start filming two gritty productions.
McConaughey stars in White Boy Rick, the story of a real-life police informant turned drug dealer. The movie has been shooting in Lorain County and Cleveland, which is standing in for Detroit, and is expected to be here through June.
White Boy Rick is based on the story of Richard “White Boy Rick” Wershe Jr. A Michigan man who served as a police informant as a teenager, he was later busted for selling cocaine. Wershe was given a life sentence and has spent 29 years in prison. He is being played by newcomer Richie Merritt. McConaughey plays his father.
The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office posted a photo on its Facebook page Wednesday of McConaughey hanging out with five deputies during a break from filming outside the Grafton Correctional Institution.
White Boy Rick is being directed by Yann Demange, and also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Piper Laurie and Bruce Dern. It is slated to hit theaters next January.
Willis stars as a detective who goes undercover in a human-trafficking ring in Acts of Violence, which has been shooting in downtown Cleveland. The film is being directed by Brett Donowho (The Sacred) and also stars Mike Epps, Sophia Bush and Cole Hauser.
Willis has been busy shooting several action films lately. He recently completed Death Wish and First Kill, and his latest film, Marauders, is due in theaters in July.
The Berea-based Angela Boehm Casting has been handling some of the casting. For more information, visit angelaboehmcasting.com. No release date has been announced yet for Acts of Violence.
Clint O’Connor can be reached at 330-996-3582 or coconnor@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClintOMovies .