St. Pete Beach is getting the full Hollywood treatment this week, as Oscar‑winning director Tom McCarthy turns the iconic Don CeSar into a 1980s hotel for his new feature, currently titled The Statement. Crews are scattered along Gulf Boulevard wrangling wardrobe racks, period cars and background actors, and local casting calls are already buzzing through the community.
Project And Cast
The film adapts Nathaniel Rich’s Losing Earth, focusing on a pivotal 1980 conference where scientists, activists and policymakers tried to hammer out early consensus on the emerging climate crisis. Sony Pictures Classics is backing the project, with an ensemble that includes Paul Rudd, Evan Peters, Amy Ryan, Paul Giamatti, John Turturro, Tatiana Maslany and Jason Clarke, as reported by ComingSoon.
Casting Call And Extras
Frontrunner Casting is on the hunt for background actors for scenes scheduled April 6–8 in the St. Petersburg area, offering $200 for a 12‑hour day, plus a $150 bump for selected period‑appropriate vehicles, according to local reporting by St. Pete Catalyst. Would‑be extras are asked to email [email protected] with basic contact information, wardrobe sizes and clear head‑to‑toe photos.
Production Footprint And Local Impact
Most location work is centered at the Don CeSar on Gulf Boulevard, with production set to run Monday through Wednesday next week, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Producers have also set up a pop‑up production space a little over a mile away on Gulf Boulevard for costume sewing and alterations, and told WFLA that post‑production will take place in New York with an eye toward a release later this year.
“The filming shows the community can support this level of production in Pinellas County,” Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater film commissioner Dave Caputo said, framing the project as both a movie shoot and a calling card for future big‑budget visits.
What Locals Should Expect
On‑set secrecy is very much part of the job. “Extras are given very vague details until day of because big‑name productions are usually mysterious,” Paula Espinosa told WFLA. Anyone signing up should be ready for long days, vintage wardrobe and to follow any street‑closure or parking instructions around the Don CeSar while crews are rolling.
.jpg){kind=link}