NEW ORLEANS — A simulated hostage situation will create a heavy police presence outside an apartment complex and completely close down two Central City blocks from dusk until dawn this week, and create traffic holds on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.
City officials said starting this Monday until Friday, the 1600-1700 block of S. Rampart Street over to the 1900-2000 block of Euterpe will be completely closed for filming.
The 1600 and 1700 blocks of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard will be partially closed, and drivers on the street can expect traffic holds for several minutes.
Residents, businesses and commuters in the area should be prepared for detours all week. Orleans Parish Sheriff's deputies will be on-site throughout the week to direct traffic, officials said.
The filming is for a new series called "#FreeRayshawn," starring If Beale Street Could Talk actor Stefan James, Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman and veteran actor Laurence Fishburne.
The project, produced by Yandr Productions, centers around the story of a Iraq War veteran named Rayshawn, played by James, who is framed by New Orleans police during a drug deal, leading to a hostage situation with NOPD and SWAT teams as a social media storm breaks out among the community, according to a report by the casting site AuditionsFree.
The drama series is heaed by Antoine Fuqua, the director behind Training Day, Southpaw and other films.
"The Sony Pictures show will be hitting our mobile screens as it will be featured on on a digital streaming platform, Quibi," the report said.
Also according to AuditionsFree, Yandr Productions is looking for an extra photo double for filming -- an African-American boy, approx. 4 feet tall and weighing 50 pounds with a short afro. (For more information, click here)
City officials said anyone with concerns about the street closures should call Ashley Bunge with the city's Locations Department at (504) 224-2225.
