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Filming begins
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hey there, everyone. After months of anticipation, the big day finally arrived today: The first day of filming of Marley & Me the movie.
The movie, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, will be shot in and around Miami, and also up here in my neck of the woods, in and around Philadelphia. Eric Dane, the McSteamy heartthrob from Grey's Anatomy costars along with Alan Arkin. And of course the real star of the show will be the dog that plays Marley. Err, make that dogs. The directors will need a whole lineup to fill Marley's large pawprints -- and 13 year span of life.
As you can imagine, I'm pretty excited about all this -- and so apparently are my former colleagues down in Florida. Wilson and Zane visited the newsroom of my old haunt, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, last week as part of their research, and my former colleagues were abuzz. Who can blame them?
Jenny and I are hoping to get down to Miami in the weeks ahead to get a peek of the filming in progress. Talk about fun.
This report appeared on Editor & Publisher magazine's website, and it quotes a People.com report: (One correction: The article makes it sound like I'm still a columnist at the Sun-Sentinel; I haven't worked there since 1999.)
Owen Wilson, In Training for 'Marley & Me,' Visits Newspaper Office
By E&P Staff
Published: March 08, 2008 3:10 PM ET
NEW YORK It was dream enough for a newspaper columnist to pen a huge bestseller -- focusing on his dog, no less -- but now comes the next step: a Hollywood movie, starring Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane and Owen Wilson. Who plays the mutt?
Wilson stopped by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Friday, according to a report on the People magazine web site.
Here's a portion of the People report.
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Wilson and Dane caused a stir when they showed up at the paper's Fort Lauderdale offices – just hours before deadline. Coincidentally – or not – the film is based on a memoir by the newspaper's columnist John Grogan. The pair spent about an hour talking to editor Earl Maucker and walking around, trailed by their crew.
One daring female reporter approached the two stars in the elevator and shook their hands, saying, "Welcome, I hope you have fun here."
"They were charming," she said. "I swooned a bit. Owen was very sweet. They certainly created a lot of hubbub and excitement."
Reporters at the newspaper were invited to apply to be extras in the movie and a few are said to be considering it.
The film team previously checked out The Daily Business offices in downtown Miami as a location but apparently decided against filming there.
posted by John Grogan at 4:10 PM
 
12 Comments:
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sweet! I cant wait for the movie! please post the photo of the dog as Marley once you got it..
Hey John, way to go! I haven't been this excited about anything since watching "Lassie" on T.V. in the 1950's staring Tommy Retig as Jeff Miller (you're 12 yrs. my Jr., so I doubt you saw it.) I read Marley & Me TWICE. It was the greatest! You sure have a LOT of patience! Good luck at finding a "Marley" dog for your movie. They don't like to follow the trainer's or director's orders (as you very well know). Thank you for your exceptional works! Extremely appreciated! Kind regards, ELLE
Hi John,
This is so exciting! I can't wait to see this movie. Looking forward to seeing the line up of dogs that will play Marley. Please post some pics if you get any.
All the best to you and your family.
Laura
Im' so excited about the movie, you have no idea. I was so giggling when I saw the picture with Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson and the dog who will plays Marley. :)
I can't wait !!! :)
I can't wait for the movie. I also had a Collie when I was little, and Lessie, the movie has also been one of my favorites. We wanted a Lab this time because we thought she might shed less than Collie, but we were mistaken:) Both breeds have similar persolanities. My husband and I just read the chapter about Marley's twisted stomach, and I think we have to read the rest of the book silently...We are crying so hard, it's impossible to read aloud anymore...Our female Lab, Ruby is six months today, and I think we take the book very personally...They should allow dogs to see this movie in theatres....We haven't gone out anywhere since we got Ruby because it breaks our hearts to leave her at home for anything other than work or school. Congratulations on the book and the movie!
Hey John,I was beginning to think you had forgotten your dog loving fans. Surprise tonight, Marley's famous owner (10 days late) shows up and includes us in his exciting new life. This Marley comunity could get big enough to launch a new poltcal party to make John & Jenny 1st Man and 1st Lady.
GLAD UR BAK
I think they should allow dogs in the theater for the opening of the movie too!!!
Hi John,
I love 'Marley and Me'....just finished reading your book last night. I cried while reading through the last few chapters of your book...and I miss Marley too...looking forward for the movie. All the best...
Penny
John, this is one of your old colleagues at The Inquirer. You have done so wonderfully -- woo woo, your character played by Owen Wilson? Yowzer.
All three of us in my family read the book when it first came out. I didn't expect to be crying halfway through but that's the kind of book it was. I too struggled with infertility (spent 10 years trying to get pregnant, ugh), then got to know a wonderful young woman who was pregnant and decided she wanted us to be the parents of her baby. We were there throughout her labor and saw my son soon after delivery! He's 16 now and the love of my life.
Good luck! Can't wait for the movie.
Sincerely
Wendy Contos
(formerly of Inquirer copy desk)
I am so excited. Someone gave me this book as a wedding present, it sounds weird I know, but your life is very similar to mine...it's scary. I also lived on Flagler with my husband, we bought a dog (an absolutly insaine yet intelligent yellow lab who ate everything we owned). Even though we have spent a lot of time and money on him, I could never give him up. We moved to Boca 1 year later. I worked at Addison Mizner Elem! I am now at Del Prado Elem. When we had the Scholastic Book Fair, I showed your book to other teachers and told them they had to read it. A few of them knew you. One said you were her neighbor. I was shocked! This book that I love was written by someone who knew people I am friends with. When I heard they were making Marley and Me into a movie, I thought I should read it again. Now, that my dog is older and slower, it is nice to have something to remind me of the old days when he was "Hurricane Andrew". Part of me misses those days. Thank you for writing this book, it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Congrats on the movie, I hope they do your book justice.
Amy
On my way to serve in the Middle East, I was reading 'Marley and Me'. Reading the last chapter reduced me to nothing short of a blubbering mess, which when surrounded by males translates into 'crying female'! Not a good look. I am stoked that your book is now being made into a film, and look forward to going to see it.
Good luck, and I hope your film is as successful as the book appears to have been.
When you spoke of your movie in Apr of 07 in Naperville, I was hoping that Jennifer A. would star. She is a great actress in whatever role she plays. I regret to tell you that I misplaced my signed fabric book of Marley and Me. When might you begin your book signing again and be back in Illinois? I have to get another book signed as it is a must have for my collection.