Written by on May 13, 2014. Posted in On Location

Miles Davis biopic follows Ohio filming incentive to Cincinnati

Ohio’s filming incentive programme has helped attract a biopic of the jazz innovator Miles Davis to Cincinnati. Iron Man franchise co-star Don Cheadle – also a talented saxophonist – will direct and produce Miles Ahead, and will also star as the famous musician.

“Cincinnati has a lot to offer us and we are very excited to be here,” said producer Pamela Hirsch: “It was a long and thoughtful process to decide where we could film this movie. We landed on Cincinnati because of the attention and total co-operation of the film commission, the state's film incentive, the location and the good-will of the people.”

Added Kristen Erwin Schlotman of the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission: “This is what we set out to do: create a production ecosystem in Greater Cincinnati that not only impacts our workforce and economy, but also enhances our culture and community. We intend to roll out the red carpet and help Cheadle and team make this incredible story.”

Ohio is an increasingly popular US filming location, partly because of its filming incentive, which is worth a base 25%. Cate Blanchett’s relationship drama Carol recently doubled Cincinnati for 1950s New York, while John Travolta’s upcoming thriller Criminal Activities will film in Cleveland.

Other recent productions include Kevin Costner’s NFL drama Draft Day (above), which was also won over by Ohio’s filming incentive.

Marvel has been a repeat-visitor to Cleveland in recent years, having first doubled the city for contemporary New York in The Avengers and then returning with Captain America: The Winter Soldier.