Timberlake film scouts Princeton

Location scouts for Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck’s newest movie, “Runner, Runner,” are scouting Princeton for locations to film a scene, according to sources familiar with the production. Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s film production company Appian Way Productions, acquired by New Regency Pictures and directed by Brad Furman — who most recently directed “Lincoln Lawyer” — “Runner, Runner” is slated to be released in the United States on Sept. 27, 2013.

Mimi Omiecinski, founder of Princeton Tour Company, first released statements via Facebook and Twitter that the “Runner, Runner” production crew would be coming to Princeton for filming reasons. Originally Omiecinski stated that a location scout for the movie is looking for a house in Princeton that will be appropriate for a “colonial bedroom scene” that will fit 10 people along with camera and light equipment.

However, the “bedroom scene” has since been cut from the movie, according to Robin Resch GS ’03, whose residence in the Borough was once considered by the scout to be a potential location. Resch explained that after she submitted pictures of her house for consideration by the location scout, the scout told her they had cut the scene but filming in Princeton is “definitely still happening.”

In the film, Timberlake is playing Richie Frust, a University student who becomes involved in an online gaming operation run by Ivan Block, played by Ben Affleck.

However, a source familiar with the film’s production who was granted anonymity discussing the movie has confirmed that no filming will take place on campus. According to University Spokesperson Martin Mbugua, the production company has made no requests for “Runner, Runner” to be filmed on campus. The Borough administrators will meet with scouts on Friday to discuss the logistics and permissions required of filming in the Borough, if a Princeton location is chosen.

Apart from Princeton, other locations such as those in New York City are also being considered as locations for filming, the source said. A tentative date for filming the scene has been set for Dec. 17, but the source emphasized that no decisions have been made as of yet and that other locations are also being considered.

The scout has been looking at six different restaurants in Princeton as well as potential streets for filming. The director will review photos of the potential locations and choose the location for filming, which will occur on a single day.

“Runner, Runner” could be Princeton’s second recent Hollywood appearance, following the release of “Admission,” which stars Tina Fey as a University admission officer, on Mar. 8, 2013.