Written by Kianna Best on Apr 28, 2023. Posted in Production News

Upcoming Disney feature to begin production in New Mexico

New Mexico Film Office director Amber Dodson announced yesterday that an upcoming Disney feature will begin production in the state. With plans to include local New Mexicans across the production, the untitled reimagining of Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, Bo Good, Very Bad Day is set to begin filming in Albuquerque through May 2023.

Image courtesy of Maddy Baker by Unsplash

Penning an open call for actors of all backgrounds to be included in various background and specialty roles in select party scenes, this upcoming production will continue to prioritise the inclusion of local talent form the New Mexico area. With plans to employ over 500 New Mexicans, 245 will be utilised as background talent, 323 as crew members and 10 as principal actors.

“We're very excited for this project to come to fruition and are especially excited about everything we’ve experienced in New Mexico thus far,” said director Marvin Lemus.

Stranger Things, filmed in New Mexico (Image courtesy of Netflix)

After a Mexican-American family loses their connection to their roots and each other, they embark on a turbulent road trip, where everything that can go wrong, seems to. With hilarious fumbles along the way, it seems that the cursed Alexander is the only one who can solve the issue. Starring Eva Longoria, Cheech Marin, Jesse Garcia and up and coming actor, Thom Nemer who recently featured in FX drama series Snowfall, the newest Disney venture will be directed by Netflix’s Gentefied series director Marvin Lumes. Other actors include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Mabel Cadena, Paulina Chávez of Fate: The Winx Saga, Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernández, Harvey Guillén from What We Do in the Shadows and Zoot Suit’s Rose Portillo.

Production will be spearheaded by Oscar-nominated Shawn Levy and Dan Levine and their Emmy-winning 21 Laps Entertainment, previously involved with Stranger Things and Arrival, along with Lisa Henson and Oscar and Emmy winner The Jim Henson Company who recently worked with Guillermo del Toro’s Pinnochio and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Longoria, Shelly Strong and 21 Laps Entertainment’s Emily Morris are set to executive produced the project written by Father of the Bride writer Mark Lopez.