Terrence Howard’s latest film turned the Plaza into a movie set

Though Kansas City has its own Film Row history, it’s not every day that the Country Club Plaza doubles as a movie set.

After fans spotted Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Empire and Iron Man) filming outside the historic Skelly Building the past week, news that Hollywood had descended on the Plaza spread quickly across social media. As it turns out, the project is part of an ambitious new film franchise.

“The project is called Broken Ones,” executive producer Alejandro Zevala told Kansas City Magazine. “It’s part of a franchise. The first movie has already been filmed and hasn’t been released yet. It’s called Real Ones. Then comes Broken Ones, and there are additional films planned after that, including a prequel set during the Vietnam era.”

The series draws heavily from Zevala’s own life story–following a troubled youth, time spent in prison and an eventual reinvention through a career in personal injury law. The memoir was never published, but shared amongst friends and groups using it as a way to inspire people having gone through difficult times. Zevala was encouraged to turn his story into a script.

Both Real Ones and Broken Ones are expected to be released this year.

For Zevala and his team, Kansas City offered a combination of practical advantages and cinematic appeal. State and local film incentives, proximity to major talent hubs and a warm welcome from locals made the metro an easy choice.

“The locations that we’ve gotten are incredible,” says Guillermo Iván, who plays Joseph Santiago, the franchise’s central character. “The production value is phenomenal. The architecture is so rich. You can see influences from Europe and different cultures.”

Kansas City’s profile as a filming destination has risen in recent years. Last summer, Overland Park native Jason Sudeikis and the cast of Ted Lasso filmed in multiple metro locations—including just around the block from the Skelly Building—while Hallmark’s Taylor Swift- and Travis Kelce-inspired holiday movie brought another production to town the year before.

Off camera, the cast and crew have been making the most of their time in town. Howard, who plays the successful attorney who takes a chance on Joseph, has frequently stopped for photos with fans between shoots. The team has also been spotted at local favorites including Green Lady Lounge, Messenger Coffee Co. and Jade Jaguar.

Moviegoers may recognize several other cast members, including Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect) and Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush and Superman Returns). Lee is no stranger to Kansas City, having previously filmed Boris Is Dead with Dane Cook in the area.

Filming in the area wrapped last weekend before the production moved to its final location. With additional installments already in development, the filmmakers hope Kansas City will continue to play a role both on screen and behind the scenes.

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