Tyler Perry will be filming scenes for his newest movie in Covington this Thursday and Friday.
Titled "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys," the movie stars Tyler Perry, Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates, Academy Award-nominee Alfre Woodard, and Sanaa Lathan. Perry wrote the screenplay for the film which centers on two families from different backgrounds that become closely intertwined through love and business connections.
Filming will take place outside of the Town House Café on Washington Street on Thursday and on Ivy Street between Monticello Street and Hendricks Street on Friday, according to location manager John Findley. Filming will also take place inside Covington's famous antebellum mansion Whitehall on Friday.
Washington Street, from the square to Emory Street, will be subject to intermittent street closures from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. beginning Thursday. Ivy Street will be closed from 10 a.m. until midnight beginning Friday.
Cast and crew have already spent 20 days filming in Atlanta. Principal photography is expected to take place in Georgia with a day's filming in New Orleans. "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys" will open nationally on Sept. 12.
According to a synopsis of the film from Lionsgate, Bates and Woodard star as a wealthy socialite and working class woman respectively who have enjoyed a close friendship for many years.
When the extramarital affairs, unethical business practices and paternity secrets of their adult children's lives become too much, the two women decide to take a breather by embarking on a cross-country road trip to gain some perspective and find a way to save their families.
Town House Café owner James Hamm said he is thrilled that his restaurant, a city landmark in business for the past 43 years will be used in the film. Hamm said his restaurant will be closed Thursday but will be open again on Friday.
This is the second time Perry has filmed in Newton County. In 2005 he filmed scenes from "Madea's Family Reunion" at Gaithers Plantation.
Many filmmakers have flocked to Covington over the years to take advantage of the city's quintessential Southern small town-atmosphere. "Remember the Titans," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "The Fighting Temptations" have all had scenes filmed in the county.
Perry has written screenplays for film, television and the stage. His television show "House of Payne" can currently be seen on TBS. His most recent theatrical release "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" has grossed more than $33 million at the box office, according to the box office revenue Web Site, Box Office Mojo.
