GLOCESTER – A supernatural romantic thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor will be filming at Glocester’s most notoriously haunted restaurant Thursday night.
Two Beacons Productions notified area residents that film crews with the M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks film, “Remain,” would be in town from Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, June 27.
“We have been working closely with the state of Rhode Island, Glocester town officials and (have) gone before the Glocester Town Council,” the notification states. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we prepare to film this week at Tavern on Main on June 26.”
The restaurant at 1157 Putnam Pike is well known to paranormal researchers, and some claim it is the most haunted spot in Rhode Island. But even to the skeptics, the business is well known for great food, with a side of history.
Built in the early 1700’s, the structure originally housed a two and a half story colonial dwelling. In 1842, it hosted one of the most controversial political upheavals in Rhode Island’s history, known as the Dorr Rebellion.
The historic building should provide a fitting set for the suspense film, which has been shooting in locations across Rhode Island since last week. The movie tells the story of Tate Donovan, a New York architect seeking a fresh start in Cape Cod after psychiatric treatment for depression following his sister’s death.
“He meets Wren, a young woman who disrupts his carefully ordered world and forces him to confront his past and question reality,” notes a synopsis. “The film explores themes of love, loss and the boundaries between life and death.”
When the film comes out in October, it seems it will showcase not only local scenery, but local people. Restaurant owner Chelsea Lumnah told NRI NOW that the film crew wants the business’s waitstaff to take part in the filming Thursday.
“They’re using our servers to be in the movie,” Lumnah said. “Everyone’s excited.”
Lumnah said that she only recently learned that the production was kind of a big deal. A photography crew visited the restaurant some time ago scouting for locations, she said. The business owner gave the group restaurant t-shirts and showed them around, but says she didn’t think much of it as that’s a somewhat frequent occurrence for a restaurant at the center of a scenic and historic village – notorious for hauntings.
“I thought it was something local,” she said.
Just three weeks ago, Lumnah was visiting her hairdresser and casually mentioned the name of the movie set to shoot.
“That’s how I found out,” she said. “I didn’t know what it was. It’s just really good for the town.”
Lumnah has been on site for the work this week, letting crews in to rearrange the restaurant – and set up a table where Gyllenhaal will soon sit.
“They left a lot the same,” she said of the decor, a cozy atmosphere that highlights the structure’s long history.
“I’m going to keep it that way,” she added of the slight changes.
The film crew was also spotted near the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge and Borders Farm Preservation in Foster last week.
In Glocester, activity began on Wednesday, June 25 as the crew set up, with work trucks parked along Main Street. On Thursday, June 26, preparations were set to begin at 6 a.m. for filming scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to around 11 p.m., both in and outside of the tavern, according to the notice.
Work trucks were set to return on Friday to pack up between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Glocester Police Department will provide traffic control as group films the exterior of the building after dark. Main Street is expected to remain open throughout the activity. Police warned travelers to expect minor delays on Main Street on Thursday from 2 p.m. to midnight near the tavern.
“Officers will be directing traffic and may stop vehicles periodically,” noted GPD. “The road will remain open, but alternate routes are suggested if possible.”
The restaurant closed on June 25 and is set to reopen on Friday, June 27.
I LOVE THIS!!! What a great opportunity it is to have such talent in our little area of New England ️ I’ve always loved Nicholas Sparks as a writer, and shyamalan has some of the best imaginative movie ideas!! If I didn’t have to go to my restaurant job, I would have headed down to observe the process