I’m a huge fan of Emily Blunt. Love her in Devil Wears Prada, The Young Victoria, Sunshine Cleaning,and most recently ... The Adjustment Bureau (which is so far my most favorite film in 2011).
Having just seen Adjustment Bureau a few weeks ago, I was surprised and excited to hear that Emily Blunt has already inked to make another movie. This time it’s a romantic comedy with Jason Segel as her co-star. The movie is Universal Pictures’ The Five-Year Engagement, slated to film in Ann Arbor, Michigan, possibly starting as early as next month.
Filming in Michigan
The Five-Year Engagement is the first production approved by Michigan under its new 2011 policy and guidelines for film incentives. Operating under the governor’s new proposed budget capping film incentives at $25 million annually, these new guidelines emphasize the importance of showcasing Michigan in a positive light and utilizing the state’s existing studios and post-production labs.
A Win-Win Relationship
Universal Pictures is immensely pleased that the production has been approved for filming in Michigan. “We appreciate the work of Michigan’s Film Office in helping secure an incentive for us to film in the state,” expressed Adam Fogelson (Chairman of Universal Pictures). “It is these types of programs that make it mutually beneficial for us to use Michigan as a backdrop in our movies.” (Detroit Free Press)
“We appreciate the work of Michigan’s Film Office in helping secure an incentive for us to film in the state. It is these types of programs that make it mutually beneficial for us to use Michigan as a backdrop in our movies.”
It looks like the feeling is mutual. Carrie Jones, Director of the Michigan Film Office was equally happy about the project when she stated, “Ann Arbor plays a central role in this film, so it is only fitting that the project be shot here in Michigan. This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our state to a national audience while benefiting from investments made by the project in local economies.” (annarbor.com)
About The Movie
The Five-Year Engagement follows a young 20-something couple who gets engaged then spend the next five years moving cross-country, fighting, breaking-up, dating other people and getting back together, trying to figure out whether they truly belong together.
Joining Emily Blunt in The Five-Year Engagement is her Gulliver’s Travels co-star Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother). The supporting cast includes Alison Brie (Community), Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation), and Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill). The movie will be directed by Nicholas Stoller (Get Him to the Greek, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and produced by Judd Apatow.
“Ann Arbor plays a central role in this film, so it is only fitting that the project be shot here in Michigan. This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our state to a national audience while benefiting from investments made by the project in local economies.”
Jason Segel, who co-writes the script with Stoller, said that The Five-Year Engagement aims to be in the same caliber as Annie Hall and When Harry Met Sally.
“... if we get within their stratosphere of substance, we will be happy,” shared Segel. “It really dissects relationships and aims to show how complicated they are over a long period of time. This is a five-year period in that time things change and morph and the power dynamic shifts and people wane and eyes wander and you question everything and this movie is about that in a funny way, I hope.” (nymag.com)
Filming Locations of The Five-Year Engagement
As to the actual filming locations of “The Five-Year Engagement,” if you’re in Ann Arbor, keep an eye on or drop by the University of Michigan. Several scenes will be filmed at the university, as confirmed by the University of Michigan film office director, Lee Doyle. (examiner.com)
Universal Pictures also recently signed a contract to lease space at 4401 Varsity Drive in Ann Arbor (a location last occupied by the crew of Scream 4).
Other Michigan Productions
There are many other films and TV shows currently being made in Michigan, among them are George Clooney’s The Ides of March and the popular television series Detroit 187.
For a more complete list, visit the Michigan Film Office’s website.
Back To The Adjustment Bureau
Meanwhile, whether or not you’re an admirer of Emily Blunt and/or Matt Damon, The Adjustment Bureau is a must-see!
If you haven’t had a chance to catch it yet, here’s the trailer.