Big stars part of movie set to film near Juliette on Sunday

A two-lane bridge just outside downtown Juliette is set for closure Sunday while Hollywood stars shoot closing scenes for a movie scheduled to debut next spring.

"Baby Driver" follows the exploits of the character Baby, played by Ansel Elgort, a music-obsessed, near-mute getaway driver who serves a host of bank robbers.

The star-studded band of thieves includes "Mad Men" actor Jon Hamm as Buddy, a party animal; Darling, Buddy's love interest, played by actress Eiza Gonzalez; and Academy Award winners Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey, who play the characters Bat and the crime boss Doc, respectively.

Lily James, best known for her role as Lady Rose Aldridge in "Downton Abbey" and the title character in the 2015 Disney film "Cinderella," is the film's fiery female lead and Baby's love interest.

The crew of the Edgar Wright film has been working in Atlanta and New Orleans since early February.

The bridge spanning the Ocmulgee River on Round Oak Juliette Road, connecting Jones and Monroe counties, is set to be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, said Monroe County Administrator Anita Cauthen. Traffic will be stopped near McCracken Street.

"They filed a permit with Jones and Monroe county to close off the roads, and they've hired some off-duty deputies," said Monroe County Sheriff John Cary Bittick.

"Baby Driver" marks the movie industry's first return to Juliette since 1995.

Two train scenes were filmed in the city for "Tuskegee Airmen." Juliette was also the primary filming location and is best known for "Fried Green Tomatoes," a 1991 movie nominated for two Academy Awards.

"The 5th Wave," "Need for Speed," "42," "Trouble with the Curve" and "The Crazies" used Macon sites for filming in the past five years.

The economic impact from filming "Baby Driver" will be a little different, however, Monroe County Commission Chairman Mike Bilderback said.

"They're only gonna be here one weekend," he said. "It'll be brief."

If the film is a success, though, Bilderback said he hopes it will draw people to the area. The state is working on a film trail that leads visitors through famous film sites across Georgia.

Bilderback said he hopes Juliette will be a stop on that trail, bringing visitors to the small town located about 30 miles north of downtown Macon.

He said he wasn't sure which actors or actresses would be on set, but anyone who wants to go stargazing is more than welcome to come to town

"I'm not sure how close they'll be able to get because this is on a two-lane bridge, and it will be some distance from where it is lined off," he said. "The town of Juliette will be the closest they can get on the Monroe County side. They'll be able to enjoy the town of Juliette, maybe catch a glimpse of them at the Whistle Stop Cafe."

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Big stars part of movie set to film near Juliette on Sunday ."