Anthony Mackie, the New Orleans-born actor known for his role as the Falcon in the Marvel comics movie franchise, has bought 20 acres in New Orleans East where he plans to start a movie studio, according to three people familiar with the deal.
Mackie closed Friday on the purchase of the land, on the Interstate 10 Service Road at Read Boulevard, near the Little Woods neighborhood, according to land records.
Anthony Mackie movie studio map
The actor, 43, who trained initially at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, said through his agent that it was premature to discuss specifics. But several people involved in the months-long negotiation for the land said Mackie intends to site his new production company, East Studios LLC, at the Read Boulevard tract and is looking to buy more space nearby.
Since starting his career more than two decades ago, Mackie has taken on dozens of film and television roles but only recently moved into producing, with credits on films such as “The Banker” and “Outside the Wire.” He is currently executive producer on the upcoming television series “Twisted Metal,” based on the digital game of the same name.
The scope of the planned studio is not yet clear. But if it is an “end to end” operation, which would include the acquisition of intellectual property, development, production and marketing, it would mark a new level for Louisiana’s film and television industry.
A booming industry
Chris Stelly, executive group director of entertainment and digital media at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, said film and television production is booming in the state after the hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. About 20 movies and television shows are in production in Louisiana now, about half of which are filming in New Orleans.
Anthony Mackie’s East Studios site
The site acquired by Anthony Mackie’s East Studios LLC, foreground, is shown in front of Interstate 10 and the former Lowe’s home improvement store in New Orleans East.
PHOTO FROM THE McENERY CO.
Stelly said the backed-up production caused by the two-year pandemic was exacerbated by a dash to create original content for several emerging streaming services such as Apple TV+ and Peacock. He expects the New Orleans production calendar to be even busier over the next several years.
Louisiana was one of the first states to introduce a financial incentives program for filmmakers two decades ago, and the state’s share of the industry has grown rapidly since. Last year, companies such as AMC, Disney, OWN and Netflix spent $291 million in Louisiana, including $104 million in payroll, according to the Economic Development Department.