Following another busy year for movies filmed in Atlanta, here’s when you can expect them to hit theaters, along with our handicapping to help you decide what to put on your calendar. Scheduled release dates were provided by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and are subject to change.
"Identity Thief," starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, Feb. 8.
The plot: Gal steals guy’s identity, he tracks her down, hilarity ensues.
The ATL connection: The movie is set in Colorado and Florida, but you’ll recognize Atlanta. In just the short trailer clip, we spotted Cafe Intermezzo in south Buckhead and the 191 building downtown.
Notes: Bateman starred in the dreadful 2011 buddy comedy "The Change-Up," co-starring Ryan Reynolds. The pairing with McCarthy, nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in "Bridesmaids," is a hopeful sign.
"Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor," starring Jurnee Smollett, Vanessa Williams and Brandy Norwood, March 29.
The plot: A marriage counselor gets entangled with a client. Uh-oh.
The ATL connection: It filmed in a gorgeous, 12,000-square-foot loft in Castleberry Hill, Virginia-Highland, a Peachtree Place condo, Fulton County Airport-Brown Field and at a facility on Decatur Street, near Moore Street just east of downtown.
Notes: Fans of Perry's movies will flock to the theaters to see this, and detractors won't. Perry's casting Kim Kardashian in a minor role may lure some over the Perry DMZ, or it may repel some who otherwise might check it out. The prolific filmmaker and actor drew some flak from his fans for casting Kardashian, who also spent time in Atlanta this year filming a guest-star role on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva."
"42," starring Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman, April 12.
The plot: The life story of history-making baseball great Jackie Robinson.
The ATL connection: The movie filmed in Chattanooga, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Macon before heading to Atlanta. Here, filming sites included the Biltmore hotel in Midtown, which played the role of the 1940s-era Waldorf Astoria.
Notes: Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron stopped by the "42" set during some interior studio work and visited with Boseman. The movie looks to be powerful.
“The Internship,” starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, June 7.
The plot: Two guys struggling in their careers start over at the bottom.
The ATL connection: The movie filmed a great deal at Georgia Tech, done up to look like the Google headquarters.
Notes: Vaughn and Wilson are two smart, funny, talented guys who previously have starred in two of the worst movies ever made in Atlanta or anywhere else: last year's "Hall Pass" and this year's "The Watch." Both will make you want to pour sand in your eyes. A casting call seeking partially nude extras for a "gentleman's club scene" gives us a hint at what we can expect with this one. The cameo addition of Will Ferrell, who starred with Vaughn in 2003's modern frat-boy classic "Old School," offers some hope, though.
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland, Nov. 22.
The plot: The second movie based on Suzanne Collins' work continues chronicling the trials and triumphs of Katniss, Gale and Peeta.
The ATL connection: It filmed at the Goat Farm Arts Center, the Georgia World Congress Center and the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center.
Notes: Are you kidding? It’ll be one of the biggest movie events of the year.
"Last Vegas," starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Kevin Kline, Dec. 20.
The plot: Four lifelong buddies reunite for a wedding in Vegas.
The ATL connection: The movie filmed a few scenes in Las Vegas before heading to tax-friendly Georgia. Here, the movie filmed an outdoor scene in the Edgewood area but mainly shot interior work at Mailing Avenue StageWorks in Grant Park.
Notes: We got a super-exclusive sneak peek at this one when we were able to watch the four stars rehearse, then film a scene. They have great chemistry, and it looks like it’ll be a fun, charming movie.
