Another major motion picture production 'I, Alex Cross' coming to Cleveland

CLEVELAND - The cameras will be rolling in Cleveland… again.

On Thursday the Ohio Film Office, along with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission announced that Cleveland will have another major motion picture being filmed in Cleveland this summer. "I, Alex Cross" is a movie based on a best-selling book series by author James Patterson.

"This is shaping up to be, far and away, the busiest summer for movie production in Cleveland history," said Ivan Schwarz, Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission in a press release. "The entire community - including our public partners, local cast and crew, and film vendors - has rallied around this industry. These films will continue to create jobs and economic benefits for the Cleveland region, while building a strong and sustainable media industry."

According to the Ohio Film Office, the production is expected to hire 183 Ohio-based crew and more than 1,700 cast members, including extras. The filming is being made possible in part by the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, worth $5 million. Crews plan to begin filming in August.

“Once again, we have been able to successfully demonstrate that Ohio has the right mix of locations, partnerships, incentives, and customer service that makes us an ideal production destination,” said Amir Eylon, Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, which houses the Ohio Film Office. “We are thrilled that they have chosen Ohio as the film’s location.”

The movie will tell the story of Alex Cross—a doctor of psychology and expert homicide detective as he investigates a series of murders and uncovers evidence that the killer has a much grander plan. Cross eventually finds himself and his family among the killer’s next targets.

I, Alex Cross stars Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Ed Burns, and Jean Reno and will be directed by Rob Cohen; produced by Bill Block, Paul Hanson, Norton Herrick, Teddy Schwarzman, and Leopoldo Gout; and executive produced by James Patterson, Steve Bowen, and Ethan Smith.

The film marks the 11th project approved for a tax credit from the Northeast Ohio region. Other movies scheduled to shoot in Cleveland this summer include The Avengers (starring Robert Downey Jr.) and Fun Size (starring Victoria Justice).

"The idea is to create an environment where anybody that wants to work in film 365 days a year has that opportunity," said executive director, Ivan Schwarz.

Since the tax credit began in 2010, the Ohio Film Office has provided more than $34 million in tax credits to Ohio productions, which are expected to employ more than 11,300 Ohioans and contribute more than $129 million to Ohio’s economy.

For more information on how to get involved with the films, visit www.ohiofilmoffice.com