Although the project was nearly shelved due to the aftermath of Katrina, it now looks like Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, and several Disney minions will be heading back to New Orleans to produce "Deja Vu."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "the action thriller is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and stars Denzel Washington. But its future had been in doubt since Scott left the project this month after its key location, New Orleans, was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
With Scott gone, even Washington’s involvement had begun to look tenuous because the actor signed on in part because of his desire to work with the man who directed him in "Crimson Tide" and "Man on Fire."
But sources said Scott reconsidered when he learned that the city’s dock was being repaired and would, along with parts of the city, be ready for a winter shoot.
The governor’s Office of Film and Television in Harahan, La., has been working closely with the producers during the past few weeks to keep the movie in the state, convincing them of the feasibility of a shoot. The movie is considered important to the state’s film industry because its $80 million-plus budget would stimulate the economy, its complex action sequences would help showcase what local crews can accomplish and New Orleans’ prominence in the plot could serve as a boost in restoring tourism.
If the plan goes through, "Deja Vu" would be the first film to shoot in New Orleans post-Katrina. "
