Hollywood Comes To Middletown: Luke Wilson, Donald Sutherland Filming

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Look out, Middletown: Some serious Hollywood A-listers are in the area this June filming a movie!

The movie is called "Miranda's Victim," and it is written and produced by Middletown resident George Kolber, through his production company Navesink River Productions. J. Craig Stiles is the co-writer and Michelle Danner ("The Runner") is director.

Kolber's screenplay tells the true story of the origin of America's infamous Miranda rights — "You have the right to remain silent" — which were established in a groundbreaking 1966 Miranda v. Arizona U.S. Supreme Court decision.

And some pretty big-name stars have signed on to Kolber's picture: Donald Sutherland, Luke Wilson, Abigail Breslin and Andy Garcia will all star in the movie and will be filming in the Middletown area this June, Kolber told Patch.

"Filming has already started," said Kolber. "We're going to be filming at the Middletown municipal building; at the Count Basie (Theater) in Red Bank, in private homes on the beach and a lot of filming will be done on the Monmouth University campus (in West Long Branch)."

Monmouth University has a historic, striking campus, built in the Roaring '20s, and Kolber said the campus will feature prominently in his film.

"We're filming a lot at Monmouth University, which is a historic site, to recreate Arizona in 1963," said Kolber. "Filming already started and will end in early July, by July 7, weather dependent."

Patch already reported that Middletown's Port Monmouth Elementary School, closed and vacant for more than two years now, will be a key part of the film. Patch originally reported that filming would take place inside the school, but Kolber said this week that is not correct:

Port Monmouth School will be used as a type of "film headquarters," for costumes, make-up, wardrobe and props, he said.

Still, Middletown residents can expect to see big-name stars like Sutherland, Wilson and Garcia filtering in and out of Port Monmouth School in the next few weeks.

This is Kolber's first movie production, but he has written screenplays in the past. He declined to answer any questions about how the movie is being financed or funded.

His movie will tell the true story of Ernesto Miranda, a career criminal who was convicted for a brutal kidnapping and rape in 1963 in Arizona. However, the case made U.S. legal history when his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that Arizona police obtained his confession without a lawyer present.

Miranda's case went all the way to the Supreme Court, and it led to American police today being legally required to read someone their "Miranda warning rights" before being interrogated by police, among which are "You have the right to remain silent; you have the right to an attorney," etc.

The movie will also chronicle Miranda's 18-year-old rape victim, Trish Weir, as she remains steadfastly determined to put her attacker in jail, according to Kolber.

According to Deadline.com, here is who will play which roles:

• Breslin will play Weir, the 18-year-old woman who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Miranda. A key part of Kolber's movie is her struggle to testify publicly in court and bring her attacker to justice.
• Wilson will play Lawrence Turoff, the county prosecutor who convinces Trish to testify and is desperate to put Miranda behind bars.
• Garcia will play public defender Alvin Moore, who represents Miranda.
• Sutherland will play the judge who ultimately convicts Miranda.
• Sebastian Quinn will play the role of Miranda. Quinn is a lesser known actor of the group, and has appeared on "NCIS" and "Dynasty."

"Since the events takes place from 1963-1976, we will be able to use unique venues provided by Middletown, Red Bank and Monmouth University," Kolber previously said.

"This important, true story could not be told without the support and help of so many throughout the Monmouth community," said Kolber. "It's the help of the Red Bank Elks Club, Count Basie and the Antique Motoring Club of Monmouth County, that will enable us to accurately depict 1960-70s America."

He also said he will be hiring local actors from the community and people who work in technical set production.

Movies in New Jersey:

Movie Filmed At Middletown School Tells Origin Of U.S. Miranda Rights (May 2022)

Uma Thurman Movie Is Filming At Former Maxwell's Club In Hoboken (May 2022)

Anne Hathaway In South Amboy This Week, Filming Movie (Jan. 2022)

Iconic NJ Restaurant Bahrs Featured In 'Sopranos' Super Bowl Ad (Feb. 2022)