The feature film A Dog’s Purpose is making its way to Virden and surrounding areas August 17 - September 4, 2015.
The movie is directed by Lasse Hallstrom (Oscar-nominated director). The cast consists of Dennis Quaid, a 61-year-old actor who was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Quaid was also in Breaking Away, The Rookie, The Day After Tomorrow, Vantage Point and many more. Along with Quaid there will also be actresses Peggy Lipton and Britt Robertson.
The movie is an adaptation from a New York Times bestseller by American humorist W. Bruce Cameron. It is about “a dog’s purpose,” Based on a dog’s journey through numerous reincarnations and how, through each of these, he looks for his purpose in life.
For Virden,it is a huge opportunity to have a movie film here. Jeff McConnell, Mayor, stated, “Long term, I think for us it is a benefit to have our community known for being a potential movie set. There is a known commodity if you’ve done it before. We have had movies here before but nothing of this scale to my knowledge. I expect this will help for future possible movie shoots. As well, we will all enjoy the movie a little bit more when we see Glad’s Shoe Shop or Townsville Pearl and know what those businesses really are!”
The film was searching for extras to take part in the movie and that’s exactly what they found. The Virden Legion Hall was packed with people waiting to get their chance to interview. Over 500 people from all over the region stood in line for an interview to be an extra in the movie.
McConnell stated “I hope people enjoy the movie being here. I know there will be some inconvenience for all during the time they are actually present in town, but hopefully people see it as a small matter in return for a great thing for whole community!”
