Variety has reported that the Johnny Flynn and Will Poulter led heist film ‘The Score’ has wrapped shooting amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film revolves around two small time crooks, Mike(Flynn) and Troy (Poulter), and their big time score. Unlike scores, this heist takes place as a secluded roadside cafe. Through unforeseen circumstances Troy comes to start questioning his life decisions during the biggest score of either of their lives.
In addition to musician and actor Johnny Flynn(Emma.) and darling Will Poulter(We’re the Millers, the Revenant), the film also stars Naomi Ackie(The Rise of Skywalker) and Lydia Wilson(Star Trek: Beyond). The cast alone is a mixture of smaller actors that have had significant roles in blockbuster films over the years.
The film is directed by writer Malachi Smyth in his feature debut. The production originally started on March 16th, but was quickly shut down. The subsequent four months saw mostly discussions on the return to production. The final shoot started on August 31st and wrapped just last week on October 2nd.
There were not reported cases of COVID-19 during the second production period. While the film’s production now worries of further restrictions as the second wave is nearly around the corner, this production was able to wrap without many hitches. Nothing was drastically changed with the main cast and crew, besides Antonia Thomas, an English actor and musician, but Los Angeles- based, who had to be recast due to travel restrictions.
Thomas was not the only musician in the original cast as the lead, Johnny Flynn, is mainly known for his music. It is confirmed that there will be music by Flynn in the film.
There are a plethora of films in production, including ‘Lockdown’ starring Anne Hathaway, which is also a heist film and is currently shooting in England.
If this gives the industry any hope it is this: it is possible to safely and efficiently make a film during the pandemic. However, it is no longer an issue of creating content, but finding a return on investments as theaters in one of the largest markets, the United States, are still all but closed.