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'Living Dead' moves out, mafia moves in
Pittsburgh will not get to be the home after all of "Land of the Dead," the fourth film in the Living Dead series by Shadyside-based writer-director George A. Romero.
Tax incentives from a bill signed last week by Gov. Ed Rendell to encourage film production in Pennsylvania were deemed insufficient by Atmosphere Entertainment and its Paris-based partner Wild Bunch to shoot the picture in Pittsburgh.
It still may be possible for Romero to film some establishing shots in the district, but most or all of "Land of the Dead" will be made in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Dawn Keezer, of the Pittsburgh Film Office, explains there's a $10 million annual cap on exemptions to pictures filmed in Pennsylvania.
At least 60 percent of a movie's budget must be spent here for it to qualify. That $10 million is to be distributed only after completion of the production year. It is to be divided among all of the qualifying films shot within the state.
One picture Pittsburgh will play a major role in is "10th and Wolf," if indeed that is the final title.
It was being called "For Life" when actor Chazz Palminteri was scouting the district for locations several months ago.
The eight-week production is to begin filming Sept. 7, according to producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis, who made "Out of the Black" here in 2000.
She would not disclose even an estimated budget, citing labor union concerns. "It's not a teeny, tiny budget," she said.
"10th and Wolf" is to star Val Kilmer, Freddie Prinze Jr., Lesley Ann Warren, James Marsden and Tommy Lee.
Palminteri's co-writers were Bobby Moresco, who will direct, and Joe Pistone, upon whom the title character in "Donnie Brasco" (1997) was based.
DeLaurentiis said all of "10th and Wolf" would be shot in the downtown Pittsburgh area.
Despite the fact the title is based on a real intersection in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh will not be portraying any specific city.
"It doesn't matter where it is. It could be anywhere," she said. "It's an Italian neighborhood. It's a story about relationships, betrayal and loyalty in a Mafia atmosphere."
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