August 2009 Archives

We hear today is the last day of filming of The Fighter here in the Mill City. Say it ain't so!

We're not sure is Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale or Amy Adams are on the set today, however if you haven't experienced the magic of Hollywood yet this summer I suggest you head down to Ray Robinson's Sandwich Shoppe right now.

The throw-back lunch stop at the corner of Central and Jackson Streets is ground zero for the film crew today. Follow the yellow and black "GIX" signs throughout the city of Lowell if you are not familiar with the area. They will point you in the right direction.

Seems like yesterday when we got our first glimpse of a shirtless Mark Wahlberg outside the Tsongas Arena. Now it's back to reality and the normal daily grind. We wish you could stay longer and hope that you hurry back soon.

Don't forget about the good old Lowellians when the film is finished. We would love to host a premiere in our town.

Micky Ward (right) presented actor Mark Wahlberg (left) a framed picture and boxing gloves at The Fighter wrap party at Focaccia Restaurant in Wilmington.

Crew from the movie including director David O Russell, line producer Jeff Waxman and assistant director Shelley Ziegler, celebrated the end of several weeks of filming in and around Lowell.

Actor Christian Bale and actress Amy Adams did not make it, however Wahlberg partied it up with Ward and everyone who attended including members of the Tsongas Arena staff and many extras.

We hear it was a good time had by all and no punches were thrown.

Filming of The Fighter ends this week. The movie is set for release in 2011.

Be prepared to fight the bridge traffic when traveling across the Merrimack River in Lowell today. If at all possible avoid the Aiken Street Bridge near LeLacheur Park.

Scenes for The Fighter are being filmed today at Top Donut at the corner of Aiken Ave and the VFW Highway. No word if Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale or Amy Adams are there this morning.

We suggest avoiding the bridge altogether today if you are in a rush. Of course if you want to spot a celebrity...waiting in traffic gives you extra time to rubber neck.

If anyone snaps a pic of any of the celebs send it over.

Seems there was some drama on the set of The Fighter this week. A medic had to be called for an eye injury, but it wasn't part of the script.

If you have been closely following the coverage of this film, then you are well aware that High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell is playing a major role. The HBO documentary released in the mid-90s has been the CliffNotes for director David O. Russell.

Apparently, Boo Boo from Crack Street will make a cameo in The Fighter staring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.

Boo Boo is no stranger to stardom after smoking crack and stealing golf clubs all while the HBO cameras were rolling. That came naturally to the Lowellian, however kissing actress Amy Adams proved a tad more difficult.

A source on the set says Boo Boo was asked to appear in a scene with Adams where he leans in for a kiss. Instead of planting one on the starlet, Boo Boo poked her right in the eye. A person on the set said Adams was hurt, falling to the ground and a medic had to come check out her injury before the scene was redone.

We sure hope Boo Boo's scene doesn't end up on the cutting room floor. Sounds comical. Maybe it will make the behind the scenes portion of the DVD.

Filming for The Fighter is now in session over at the Lowell Superior Court House. Actor Christian Bale is a definite for star spotting in downtown today. Bale is playing Lowellian, Dicky Eklund, in the boxing bio-pic who has had a few fights with the law in the past.

Last week, film crews were on Chelmsford Street at the former Gus & Paul's, now Buck's Bar. It's rumored the Highlands watering hole will play a pivotal role in the movie in a scene where Mark Wahlberg's character, Micky Ward, has his hand broken by a Lowell Police officer who responded to a bar room brawl.

Actress Amy Adams signed autographs, as did Wahlberg, after wrapping a day of filming on Christian Hill in the Centralville section of Lowell. Anyone have pictures to share?