‘Big Lebowski’ spinoff films in Long Beach

John Turturro project 'Going Places' stars Susan Sarandon, Bobby Cannavale

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Actors John Turturro, Susan Sarandon and Bobby Cannavale were in Long Beach earlier this week shooting scenes for a new film that is reportedly a spin-off of the 1998 Coen brothers' classic “The Big Lebowski.”

The movie, written and directed by Turturro, is titled “Going Places” and is inspired by the 1974 French film of the same name. According to Variety, the film will revisit Turturro’s original “Big Lebowski” character Jesus Quintana, the loud-mouthed opponent of the bowling team that includes characters played by Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi.

The project has already begun filming in New York and the cast — including Turturro, Sarandon and Cannavale — were seen shooting scenes on East Park Avenue on Wednesday. Sarandon, an Oscar winner, even visited a few local shops, including ooh la la, a women’s boutique at 134 E. Park Ave.


“In between, she strolled in here and I was like, 'Oh my god — Susan Sarandon is here,'” said manager Natalie Orellana. “She was very, very nice and even took a selfie with us. She even told me to stand this way because the lighting is better.”

The crew filmed along a stretch of East Park Avenue, from Long Beach to Riverside boulevards, those who observed the activity told the Herald. Locations included Park Avenue and other spots in Long Beach, including scenes that were shot inside of Cover Girl Fashion, at 130 E. Park Ave.

“It was the real deal — there was a tent set in front of ooh la la and everything,” said Orellana, who also took a photo with Cannavale and added that the crew was on site for more than five hours. “They were filming a segment right in front of the store — they had the whole block from us down to Cover Girl. People were waiting outside of the store all day — the crew had to keep moving people.”

“Almost ran John [Turturro] over with my carriage, then Bobby Cannavale appeared!” one resident commented on Project 11561, which shared news of the film activity on its Facebook page. “Pretty thrilling, actually, since I had no idea this was happening and I love them both.”

Ingrid Dodd, director of development for motion pictures and TV for Nassau County, said that scenes were also shot in Island Park and Point Lookout.

“I think people were very receptive and the film crew was very friendly on the street,” Dodd said.

Dodd said that movies and television shows are often filmed in Long Beach, including NBC’s “The Blacklist” and USA Network’s “Royal Pains,” and the city has seen its fair share of celebrities over the past few years. Snoop Dog, James Franco and Justin Bieber, among others, have all been guests at the Allegria Hotel and Long Beach, of course, is also home to actor Billy Crystal and musician Joan Jett.

“Long Beach is a happening place and you never know who you’re going to run into,” said Gordon Tepper, the city’s director of communications. “Celebrities frequent Long Beach all the time.”

Earlier this summer, model Kendall Jenner was in town for an Estée Lauder photo shoot at a home in the West End, and the crew ordered $600 worth of sushi from Nagahama, Dodd said. She added that movie and TV projects in town help the local economy.

“The economic benefits to our area is pretty cool — they buy stuff when they’re here and rent certain stores,” she said.

The city recently hosted the Long Beach International Film Festival Aug. 3-5, an event co-founded by Dodd that included films screenings, food tastings, award ceremonies, live music and more around town. Notable attendees included Barbara Rosenblat of “Orange is the New Black,” Larry Romano of “The King of Queens” and “Donnie Brasco,” and former NY Jets Eric Colemen and Wesley Walker, among others.

“Think about the stars we’ve had in Long Beach over the past two weeks,” said Dodd. “It’s just really becoming Hollywood east and it’s nice to see the businesses benefit.”