Metro Vancouver city gets major shoutout from Hollywood star
Metro Vancouver’s film industry is buzzing with summer shoots, and Hollywood star Josh Duhamel is just the latest celebrity to fall in love with the region while filming.
Duhamel is in Maple Ridge to film Runaway, a feature directed by James Clayton.
In a recent Instagram video posted to his 2.5 million followers, the Transformers and Las Vegas star shared that he was sitting in the middle of a “beautiful park” outside of Maple Ridge.
“So beautiful out here,” Duhamel said as he panned his smartphone camera around to show the greenery and trees.
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Maple Ridge is a popular filming destination for movies, TV shows, and more.
The city describes itself online as a film-friendly community where “stunning landscapes meet urban convenience.”
Projects that have filmed in Maple Ridge recently include Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures starring Sally Field and Dan Payne, Tracker starring Justin Hartley, and Air Bud Returns starring the most excellent basketball-playing dog of all time.
According to Creative BC’s In Production List, Runaway is filming throughout Metro Vancouver until July 22.
While Duhamel didn’t identify which Maple Ridge greenspace the cast and crew were working in, one comment identified the area as Allco Park.
Alco Park is a 27-acre area, about half of which is developed. Visitors can enjoy picnic facilities, walking and equestrian trails, and scenic forested spots.
City of Maple Ridge
Several fans left well-wishes and welcomes on Duhamel’s social media shoutout.
“Nice for you to be here in our beautiful province of B.C. Enjoy,” wrote one person.
“I used to live there,” added another. “They were always filming movies near my house.”
“Please tell me you buried the AllSpark in a safe spot out there,” urged a third person, referring to Duhamel’s work in the Transformers film series.
B.C. has been a popular spot for celebrities throughout the spring.
Ruby Lake Resort on the Sunshine Coast shared a photo of Canadian music icon Joni Mitchell and Almost Famous writer and director Cameron Crowe.
The resort wrote on social media that Mitchell and Crowe’s appearance was an “unexpected and beautiful surprise.”
Four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, who was in town filming Time Out alongside Adam Sandler, was also spotted at the recent 20th annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.
His appearance delighted the cast, crew, and audience at the Vancouver Playhouse.