The long-awaited sequel to the 1994 comedy "Dumb and Dumber" reunites dullards Harry and Lloyd on a cross-country trip, so "Dumb and Dumber To" needs lots of filming locations. Metro Atlanta has fit the bill again and again.
Following stints in Cabbagetown, Grantville and Stone Mountain, the project started the week with a two-day shoot on and around the Marietta Square. Stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels spent part of Monday morning driving a street-ready Zamboni along the Square before things moved into Glover Park, on the Square itself.
Downtown Marietta evidently will portray El Paso, Texas, on the big screen, judging from the giant EL PASO banner erected over one intersection. The production decorated with lots of Lone Star flags and brought in extras sporting 10-gallon hats to further Texify things.
"I think it's wonderful," said Marietta Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin. He took a break from running the city and his nearby law office to chat up the media scrum, showing up camera-ready in a snappy University of Georgia golf shirt for a chat with WSB Channel 2's Linda Stouffer.
“It’s good for our city,” Tumlin said. “They have brought a tremendous amount of excitement. I’m glad that we have tax incentives that give a small city like ourselves a chance to participate. This could be in Louisiana. Obviously it could be in El Paso.”
Our colleague, photojournalist and raconteur John Spink, tried fomenting strife by asking if the mayor felt himself to be in competition with the heads of other local municipalities where filming frequently takes place. The practiced politician deftly swiveled from controversy.
"I'd rather have 'Dumb and Dumber' than 'The (Walking) Dead,'" Tumlin quipped, referring to the AMC hit that often films in Senoia. "I like live voters."
Other movies to film on the Marietta Square have included the Hallmark Channel's "The Watsons Go to Birmingham," which aired last month; the 2012 sci-fi comedy "The Watch"; and "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," the 2003 "prequel" to "Dumb and Dumber." That movie did not star Carrey or Daniels, and filmmakers Peter and Bobby Farrelly had no association with that project. In addition, "Anchorman 2," coming out in December, filmed just down the road, at Marietta Middle School.
Upcoming locations for “Dumb and Dumber To” include Brookhaven. According to a notice sent to residents, it’ll shoot Friday on Brookgate Way and East Brookhaven Drive. If you’d like to see Carrey out of character, he’ll sign his new children’s book, “How Roland Rolls,” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Buckhead Barnes & Noble, at 2900 Peachtree Road N.E.
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