ABQ Studios to host TV series, film featuring Samuel L. Jackson

New Mexico Business Weekly
August 22, 2007
NMBW Staff

Two more productions will begin shooting this fall at Albuquerque Studios, including a feature film starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Frank Miller (the writer behind “Sin City” and “300”) will direct “Will Eisner’s The Spirit,” based on Eisner’s series “The Spirit.” Eisner is considered by many to be the father of the graphic novel.

“The Spirit” is a comic book series with a film noir feel. The adaptation will star Jackson, Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson and Gabriel Macht in a fantasy thriller about a rookie cop (played by Macht) who returns from the dead to fight crime as The Spirit, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” Smerigan says. “The cast and the crew are top notch and we’re really excited about them being here. Not only is it a big feature production for Albuquerque and New Mexico, but it’s a big giant feature film.”

The film will start production in October and will be shot entirely at Albuquerque Studios on two stages. Shooting will run through the middle of January, says Nick Smerigan, chief operating officer of Albuquerque Studios. Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker of Odd Lot Entertainment will produce along with Michael Uslan of Batfilm Productions.

Odd Lot and Lionsgate are production partners for the film, with Lionsgate holding domestic and United Kingdom rights, according to the Reporter.