Economic boost anticipated if movie 'Gone Girl' films in Cape

As Cape Girardeau awaits official word on whether the city will be a filming location for 20th Century Fox's "Gone Girl," it's possible local businesses already are considering the economic benefits of having a film crew in town.

Doc Cain, owner of the Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge, said he is looking forward to serving more customers.

"I think that more people will be around if they film the movie here," Cain said. "That has the residual effect of bringing in more customers."

Cain was speaking from experience. He said his restaurant saw an uptick in business when part of the movie "Killshot" was filmed downtown in 2006.

"There was more business, sure," he said. "If they film the new movie here, I expect the same thing. I'll also pursue doing some catering for the film crew. I didn't do that the last time, but I did host the wrap party for ['Killshot' star] Thomas Jane."

It was estimated that the filming of "Killshot" brought in about $750,000 to the local economy.

"Putting a finger on the exact amount is difficult, but that sounds about right," said Jay Knudtson, who was mayor of Cape Girardeau when "Killshot" was filmed. "I recall that the town was buzzing. A lot of restaurants benefited from the experience, and local hotels housed most of the film crew. It was trickle-down economics in its purest form."

Knudtson said he spent some time with actor Mickey Rourke during the filming.

"I'll never forget it," he said. "We went to the Rude Dog Pub for a little while. It seemed the right place for Mickey Rourke to be in."

As for the opportunity to have "Gone Girl" filmed locally, Knudtson said the city will benefit from Hollywood coming to town again.

"The movie stands a chance to captivate the city and even bring tourists to town after filming, assuming it's a successful film," Knudtson said. "I think we'll get excited over it. It's a chance to peek into the backroom of movie studios, and we don't get many of those chances here."

To Knudtson's knowledge, no inquiries were made about filming in Cape Girardeau during his tenure as mayor other than from the producers of "Killshot." But the state of Missouri has a history of being chosen for Hollywood productions. According to information from the Missouri Film Commission's website, filming in Missouri goes back to 1910 with the silent film "Range Riders." Notable Missouri productions since then include "Tom Sawyer" in 1973, "Escape From New York" in 1981, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" in 1987 and "Winter's Bone" and "Up in the Air," both in 2009.

Partially set in fictional North Carthage, Mo., a town on the Mississippi River, "Gone Girl" originates from the best-selling thriller novel by Gillian Flynn. Published in June 2012, the novel's plot centers on the marriage of writers Nick and Amy Dunne and whether Nick killed his wife on the couple's five-year anniversary. The book topped The New York Times Hardcover Fiction Best Seller list for eight weeks.

It is believed the film adaptation of "Gone Girl" will be directed by renowned director David Fincher, who has helmed previous feature films such as "Fight Club," "The Social Network" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." It has been reported Fincher is in talks to direct and Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is a co-producer.

Casting decisions on who will play the lead roles and other characters in the movie have yet to be announced, but Deadline.com last week reported Ben Affleck is in negations to star.

Details of the possible filming of "Gone Girl" in Cape Girardeau emerged last week after a location scout for 20th Century Fox contacted local homeowners about using their homes in the movie. After inquiries to city officials by the Southeast Missourian, Convention and Visitors Bureau director Chuck Martin said he could not confirm a movie is coming to Cape Girardeau, but said a "major announcement" was expected Tuesday at a meeting at the CVB.

The meeting is expected to include select news media and is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

klewis@semissourian.com

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Pertinent addresses: 19 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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