Worcester recognized for contribution to worldwide blockbuster 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'

WORCESTER — Worcester has been recognized for its contribution for the worldwide blockbuster “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

The Worcester Film Commission has been nominated as “Outstanding Film Commission” at the 10th annual Location Managers Guild International Awards for the filming of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Edgar Luna, business development manager for the city Executive Office of Economic Development, oversees the film industry when they come to Worcester.

“When a movie comes to town, it starts with me and it ends with me,” Luna said. “I started approximately six years ago and I have overseen 26 film projects in the past six years. So, to be specifically recognized for this movie is a great honor, not just for myself, but for the City of Worcester. I represent the City of Worcester and that’s a great honor for me.”

In addition to "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," projects filmed in Worcester in recent years include “Confess, Fletch,” “Defending Jacob,” “Dexter: New Blood,” “Don’t Look Up,” “The Holdovers,” “Honest Thief,” “Julia,” “Madame Web,” “New Guy,” “The Parenting,” “Spirited,” “The Tender Bar” and the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

One reason why Worcester has become a hotbed for Hollywood film is because the second-largest city in New England is second to none when it comes to being “a movie-friendly city” that strives to simplify the regulatory process that may be required, Luna said.

“I’m available 24/7 and they know that. So the process is very simplified and they, basically, can do whatever they want,” Luna said. “We close streets for them. They can have access to any facility, municipal or private. We make efforts to facilitate the process. And that’s what they like, a simplified process that we provide.”

In August 2021, complicated scenes were filmed in downtown Worcester including a police cruiser being airborne and a motorcycle riding through a “wall of fire” in front of the Worcester County Courthouse and a high-speed chase scene through the Johnson Tunnel near Lincoln Square. Luna thanked the Worcester fire and police departments for their support in the filming.

Luna was invited to attend the last scene being shot for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in Worcester. It was on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral. When they wrapped filming, Luna said to Douglas Dresser, the film’s location manager/production supervisor, “Thank you for coming to Worcester. Thank you for selecting us from many other places.”

Dresser responded back to Luna, “Thank you for providing us a beautiful canvas, meaning the City of Worcester, for us to make magic on.”

Arguably the biggest movie production to hit Worcester so far, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was a two-week shoot in Worcester, with an additional 2 ½ months for preparation.

“When a movie comes to town, it triggers a number of business opportunities for city companies. That includes hotels, restaurants, catering, transportation, extras and many other services,” Luna said. “They (the 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever') had their staff, actually living in Worcester…They utilized hotels and they utilized local people for a lot of things."

Luna, who saw the Hollywood blockbusting film four times, said he is deeply honored that Worcester has been nominated for its involvement with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

“It’s a huge honor for the City of Worcester and also for the city administration,” Luna said. “It is significant they selected the City of Worcester for that nomination and Worcester is the only one submitted by (the staff of) ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.' The movie, itself, was filmed in different locations and, yet, Worcester is the only city that they selected.”

In addition, Luna gave a shoutout to the city manager, the mayor and Peter Dunn, the city’s chief development officer. Without their support, Luna said, none of this would not have happened.

The Worcester Film Commission is facing stiff international competition. Also vying for the honor for Outstanding Film Commission is the Alberta Film Commissions (Calgary, Edmonton)/Calgary Economic Development for HBO’s “The Last of Us”; the City of Brantford in Brantford, Ontario, for Hulu’s “The Handmaid's Tale,” Season 5; The Czech Film Commission for Netflix’s “The Gray Man”; the Montana Film Office for Paramount +’s “1923” and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office for FX on Hulu’s “Reservation Dogs,” Season 2.

Based in Los Angeles, the Location Managers Guild International is a global organization of career location professionals in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards.

Receiving close to 300 applications for potential nominations, the LMGI Awardshonors the outstanding and creative visual contributions by location professionals in film, television, commercials and film commissions from around the globe.

Luna maintains he will do everything in his power to bring more film projects to Worcester.

“I will continue to provide the same quality service, facilitating the process for filming in Worcester and, also, establishing relationships with other film companies so they understand in Worcester we have a lot to offer," he said. "Technically, we can compete against any city in the United States. We have everything. We have streetscapes. We have old buildings. We have new buildings. We have parks. We have bridges. And all these things that they look for. I am confident that we can compete with anyone.”

As for the future of films in Worcester, Luna said there are two projects in the works.

“Worcester is a beautiful city. We are the second-largest city in New England,” Luna said. “Accessibility alone is a benefit. And we are in the middle of Boston and New York and the other states. So, Worcester is the best location for movies.”

By sheer coincidence, Luna is scheduled to give an introduction before a free screening “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” slated to be shown at dusk Aug. 17 at the Worcester Common Oval.

“Prior to this nomination, I was asked to say a few words about the filming in Worcester and I was planning to do that,” Luna said. “Now, I have a lot more to say.”

The LMGI Awards ceremony will be held Aug. 26, at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. Luna said he is planning to attend.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester recognized for contribution to 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'