Spielberg’s “St. James Place” is Filming in Astoria

Earlier today on Facebook we posted an Instagram from WHA fan @kellnr of the preparations happening for a shoot of St. James Place, the new film from Steven Spielberg (not sure if that is the final name but it’s the current working name). Here’s what the film is about (via Tracking Board):

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the Cold War thriller chronicles the story of James Donovan, a prominent American attorney who was unexpectedly thrust into the center of the Cold War after being tasked by the CIA to slip past the Berlin Wall on his own and negotiate the release of the downed U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers. The script was written by Matt Charman, with the Coen brothers also giving it the once-over.

Actors include Amy Ryan, Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Eve Hewson, and Billy Magnussen.

I was inspired to head over to the area they are preparing, which is essentially the intersection of 18th Street and 26th Ave. We came across a lot of signs up warning area residents that accessing the park might be a little challenging, and that parking would be scarce. We came across this in Astoria Park.

And this on Astoria Park South. They are serious about the towing.

Looks like Nurse Jackie is also using the area for filming later this week. This was taken on 18th Street.

Here are shots from the 18th Street/26th Ave intersection. I love how they are transforming it from 2014 to the 1950s.

We looked back on our way south and it still looked very cool.

We’ll look forward to spotting the area when the movie comes out! Lots of good parking wishes to those in the area that will need to find parking in other areas of town, too.