COLUMBUS — Parts of the Twentieth Century Fox blockbuster movie Unstoppable, starring Denzel Washington, was filmed in Ohio using the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit, worth up to $3.8 million.
“Seeing this blockbuster film made in Ohio was exciting for the state and provided a valuable economic boost,” said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “It gave Hollywood a chance to see all Ohio has to offer: our beautiful scenery, film friendly environment, and our talent pool.”
Locations
The production of Unstoppable was shot almost a year ago in several eastern and southeastern Ohio locations, including the communities of Martins Ferry, Steubenville and Bellaire. The film was also shot in Pennsylvania.
The film, about an unmanned runaway train carrying toxic chemicals, was the first production to be awarded an Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, employing hundreds of Ohioans as part of the production crew and extras. Twentieth Century Fox extended the number of shooting days in Ohio due to the Motion Picture Tax Credit.
Synopsis
The film is based on a true story about two Ohio heroes: engineer Jess Knowlton (played by Denzel Washington) and conductor Terry Forson (played by Chris Pine). The pair stopped a runaway train May 15, 2001 as it barreled towards the city of Kenton, Ohio. They recently flew out to Los Angeles for the premiere.
The Ohio Film Office, housed within the Ohio Department of Development, administers the film tax credits, which are made possible through legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Ted Strickland in July, 2009.
To date, more than $9 million in tax credits have been approved, with more than $20 million still available for interested production companies in fiscal year 2011.
