Morgan Freeman, Luke Hemsworth filming movie in Birmingham

Morgan Freeman, Luke Hemsworth filming movie in Birmingham

When the Morgan Freeman-Luke Hemsworth film “Gunner” hits the screen, Alabama viewers may recognize some Birmingham-area locations.

Filming has been taking place at WaterMark Place in Bessemer, and director Dimitri Logothetis recently told WVTM-13 that he plans to stage a big action sequence at Sloss Furnaces. “This is an older town,” Logothetis said of Bessemer in a WVTM report. “And so an older town gives you a lot of texture.”

Collider.com reported in January that Hemsworth, known for his work in the TV series “Westworld,” plays the hero of the film. According to Collider, Hemsworth will play Lee Gunner, “a Special Forces veteran on a camping trip with his kids. However, the family vacation becomes a nightmare when the kids accidentally find a fentanyl lab in the woods and get kidnaped by drug runners. Gunner must put all his deadly training to the test as he faces off against not only the cartel but the FBI and local law enforcement to get his kids back safe and sound.”

In a more recent update, Collider reported that Morgan plays criminal kingpin Kendrick Ryker, whose son sets things in motion by kidnapping the kids.

Logothetis has been sharing images on his Facebook page. Several days ago he posted a shot of himself with the two leading men and the caption, “Day 1. The wild ride with Luke and Morgan.”

It’s not a long trip for Freeman to work in Birmingham: The actor has a home in Gulf Shores and it’s not unusual for him to be sighted in the area. He even serves on a panel that screens police recruits.

Logothetis’ credits include “Jiu Jitsu” and “Kickboxer: Retaliation.” Once this project is over, the director told WVTM, he may not be done with Alabama.

“This whole film is scheduled to be shot here,” he said. “In the future we’re looking down in Mobile for another film.”