The New Mexico Film Office Announces Two Feature Films Currently Filming in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. –The New Mexico Film Office today announced two feature films, Squealer and Bad Hombres, currently in production in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Squealer and Bad Hombres join a growing list of productions selecting the Mesilla Valley as a place to shoot their projects. In 2021, Knight, featuring Bruce Willis, Hot Seat featuring Mel Gibson, The Locksmith, starring Ryan Phillippe and Kate Boswoth, Dig starring Thomas Jane and Emile Hirsch, as well as the Netflix feature film Chupa, and The Price We Pay all shot in and around the Las Cruces area.
“New Mexico’s second largest city, Las Cruces, is quickly developing a reputation as the new film production hot spot in the state,” said Amber Dodson, Director, New Mexico Film Office. “Toward the end of 2021, four major notable feature films selected Las Cruces because of the stunning locations, the professionalism of the local film office, and because of its stunning locations, supportive film office and community, and the competitive film incentive that New Mexico offers, which includes a 5% uplift for shooting in the uplift zone which includes Las Cruces. That trend is continuing in 2022 with two more feature films starting up now and more in the pipeline.”
Las Cruces’ growing popularity stems in part to its rich diversity of filming locations that include a broad range of architectural styles, stunning outdoor lands, and the charming nearby communities of Hatch, Mesilla, and White Sands National Monument. The area has recently doubled for Chihuahua Mexico, downtown Los Angeles, Afghanistan, and West Texas. Perhaps the best asset the area offers is the extra 5% uplift which productions are eligible for as part of New Mexico’s 25-30% film incentive program.
“Las Cruces offers a full-service film office, local government pro-film leadership, and film-friendly communities that go the extra mile to accommodate productions. Add to that a nearby airport with direct flights to Los Angeles and great year-round weather that helps keep productions on schedule,” said Jonathan Sepp, Las Cruces Film Office Liaison.
Squealer: Squealer starring Ronnie Gene Blevins (Death in Texas), Theo Rossi (Army of the Dead), Wes Chatham, Tyrese Gibson (Furious 7), Katherine Moenning (The Lincoln Lawyer), and Danielle Burgiois (Army of the Dead) is a story of an overzealous social worker who follows clues on missing persons cases around town, and eventually, discoveries are unearthed on a pig farm, where the town recluse has many hidden secrets. The production will be filming through mid-February.
Squealer is directed by Andy Armstrong (The New Adventures of Robin Hood) and produced by Rob Goodrich (Dig, Slayers) and Jason Armstrong (Dig, Slayers).
“I had never shot in Las Cruces before but had wanted to shoot here for many years based on several classic and personal favorite movies that have been made in the state. I have had the good fortune to work several times on movies and television series shooting in other parts of New Mexico (Marvel’s, Thor and the television series, Wildfire). Each time I work in New Mexico I am reminded of the great beauty of the landscape and am amazed by the very experienced local crew, that without question, is in the very top tier of any crew I have ever had the good fortune with which to work, anywhere in the world,” said Andy Armstrong, Director, Squealer.
The production will employ approximately 45 New Mexico crew members, 3 New Mexico principal actors, and 35 New Mexico background and extras.
For more information on the production contact squealermovie@gmail.com
Bad Hombres: Bad Hombres starring Tyrese Gibson (Furious 7) and Thomas Jane (Deep Blue Sea) is the story of two undocumented immigrants who take a simple job of digging a hole in the middle of nowhere, but when their two employers reveal themselves to be psychopathic criminals, surviving the night will become a more difficult job.
Bad Hombres is directed by John Stalberg and produced by David Frigerio.
“It’s my second time back in New Mexico and I’m excited to be back in the land of enchantment because the crews are fantastic, and the locations are wonderful. It is truly a joy being here,” said Frigerio.
The production will employ approximately 125 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico principal actors, and 30 New Mexico background and extras.
For more information on the production contact badhombresinfo@gmail.com
Productions interested in learning more about filming in Las Cruces can visit www.filmlascruces.com.
