Despite agency's efforts, 'Arkansas' film starring Hemsworth, Vince Vaughn won't be filmed in state

A crime drama titled Arkansas, starring Liam Hemsworth, is set to begin filming this month in Alabama after efforts to record in the movie's namesake failed, the state film commissioner said Friday.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission began working with director Clark Duke on the project about two years ago, film commissioner Christopher Crane said.

Duke — a Glenwood native who has starred in The Office, Greek and The Croods — visited the state at least twice and traveled throughout central and southern Arkansas to look for possible filming locations.

Hemsworth and co-star Vince Vaughn were never in Arkansas for the scouting trips, Crane said.

Although Arkansas was considered, principal photography will begin this week in Alabama, the entertainment magazine Variety reported.

"We tried to make it happen, but Clark's not the deciding factor in where the project lands," Crane said. "We went a long way with him, but sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. We have to wish him good luck."

The movie script is based on a book that follows two drug runners in the Dixie Mafia who must eliminate their drug kingpin in order to survive, according to a synopsis on the website of co-producer Storyboard Media.

An Internet Movie Database listing for the film shows a release date of 2020.

Upcoming Events