Lt. Gov. Confirms Depp Movie Could Film In Baraboo
Lawton Says Tax Breaks Helped Get Filmmakers' Attention
Updated: 7:30 pm CST December 27, 2007
MILWAUKEE -- The lieutenant governor said a big budget film starring Johnny Depp is looking at filming in Wisconsin.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBarbara Lawton said the makers of "Public Enemies" are looking at Wisconsin because of the new tax breaks for filmmakers that start Tuesday.Her office and Film Wisconsin had previously said a film with a budget between $100 million and $300 million was looking at Wisconsin, but refused to give details until a deal was done.But the Baraboo News Republic in southern Wisconsin broke the news in Thursday's editions, saying the makers are looking at filming at a local bank."Public Enemies" is about notorious gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.Although a lot has changed over the years in Baraboo, it's the things that haven't that attracted filmmakers to the town of about 12,000."A call from Hollywood is wonderful and it helps to show off Baraboo," said Gene Dalhoff, executive director of the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce.Dalhoff said Universal Pictures has expressed interest in possibly shooting scenes for the upcoming film in Baraboo's historic and preserved downtown."We always say it's something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It's not something you find everywhere in the country, and we're happy to have it here. It's well preserved, and we're happy to share it," Dalhoff said.The town survived fires in the late 1800s."From that point on, everything was built of brick and we managed to keep those buildings along," Dalhoff said.A possible filming location for "Public Enemies" is the Baraboo National Bank."They liked the appearance of our building because this building was redone in 1924 and we haven't changed the decor from the time we added onto it," said Merlin Zitzner, the bank's CEO.Baraboo officials said the community could see an economic boost if film crews move into the area."Other than that, once the film is out, then the people across the country are going to catch a glimpse of what we have in downtown Baraboo," Dalhoff said.For many, there's another benefit -- the movie's star, Johnny Depp."I've seen all of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies so I love Johnny Depp," said Baraboo resident Edie Udultutch.Universal Pictures is only considering Baraboo. The movie giant is also scouting other places in Wisconsin. There is no word on when a decision will be made.The film "I Love Trouble," starring Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte also took a glimpse of the courthouse square. Much of that movie was also shot in Madison.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBarbara Lawton said the makers of "Public Enemies" are looking at Wisconsin because of the new tax breaks for filmmakers that start Tuesday.Her office and Film Wisconsin had previously said a film with a budget between $100 million and $300 million was looking at Wisconsin, but refused to give details until a deal was done.But the Baraboo News Republic in southern Wisconsin broke the news in Thursday's editions, saying the makers are looking at filming at a local bank."Public Enemies" is about notorious gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.Although a lot has changed over the years in Baraboo, it's the things that haven't that attracted filmmakers to the town of about 12,000."A call from Hollywood is wonderful and it helps to show off Baraboo," said Gene Dalhoff, executive director of the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce.Dalhoff said Universal Pictures has expressed interest in possibly shooting scenes for the upcoming film in Baraboo's historic and preserved downtown."We always say it's something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It's not something you find everywhere in the country, and we're happy to have it here. It's well preserved, and we're happy to share it," Dalhoff said.The town survived fires in the late 1800s."From that point on, everything was built of brick and we managed to keep those buildings along," Dalhoff said.A possible filming location for "Public Enemies" is the Baraboo National Bank."They liked the appearance of our building because this building was redone in 1924 and we haven't changed the decor from the time we added onto it," said Merlin Zitzner, the bank's CEO.Baraboo officials said the community could see an economic boost if film crews move into the area."Other than that, once the film is out, then the people across the country are going to catch a glimpse of what we have in downtown Baraboo," Dalhoff said.For many, there's another benefit -- the movie's star, Johnny Depp."I've seen all of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies so I love Johnny Depp," said Baraboo resident Edie Udultutch.Universal Pictures is only considering Baraboo. The movie giant is also scouting other places in Wisconsin. There is no word on when a decision will be made.The film "I Love Trouble," starring Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte also took a glimpse of the courthouse square. Much of that movie was also shot in Madison.
Previous Stories:
- December 27, 2007: Baraboo On Short List For Depp Movie Location
- December 26, 2007: Baraboo Seen As Possible Filming Site For Depp Movie
Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
