2011 has been a rough year for the city of Pittsburgh. First they lose the Super Bowl, and now potentially The Dark Knight Rises. Earlier this week, The Hollywood Reporter added Pittsburgh to the list of locations where The Dark Knight Rises would film. However, Pittsburgh's WTAE is reporting that a freeze on Pennsylvania's Film Tax Credit Program could cause Warner Bros. to look someplace else. Here's an excerpt from their article:
The tax credit program has currently been put on hold until the state budget is passed next month, which means the city, and the state, could lose out on big business.
"We believe that the new administration in Harrisburg, they understand the economics of all of that. Now is not the time to get out of the movie business, so to speak," said Pittsburgh Film Office Chairman Russ Streiner.
Streiner said applications can be filed up to 90 days prior to principal photography.
Pittsburgh-based Nancy Mosser Casting sent an e-mail to WTAE Channel 4 Action News Thursday night encouraging residents to contact local lawmakers and Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett to keep the productions from leaving.
"The producers of Batman and 2 other movies have all said if the money is not released they WILL go elsewhere and Pittsburgh will lose an astronomical amount of money," read a statement on the casting agency's website.
SOURCE: WTAE [via Superhero Hype]
Update 02/19/11: "Team Nolan" were spotted on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh yesterday -- big thanks to Nolan Fans for posting a photo. Not sure what this means, but check out the pic after the break.
