Filming of 'Baby Driver' takes place in Juliette

JULIETTE -- Twenty-five years after "Fried Green Tomatoes" breathed new life into Juliette, the little town became a movie set again Sunday.

Filming of a scene in "Baby Driver" took place on the Round Oak Juliette Road bridge over the Ocmulgee River. A barricade at the turnoff into Juliette and about a quarter mile from the set blocked anyone from going any further.

Juliette was the primary filming location for "Fried Green Tomatoes," released in 1991, and the town is still benefitting from it today. Juliette, which was mostly dead when "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed, was full of people Sunday, and most of them were there to have lunch at the famous Whistle Stop Cafe featured in the movie. Visitors interviewed said they had not heard about the filming of "Baby Driver."

Tommy Moon, owner of The Honey Comb in Juliette, said the town was "just about a ghost town" when "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed. After the movie came out, the town has been thriving ever since, he said. Although the "Baby Driver" filming was just one scene, Moon was hopeful the movie could inject some new visitors to Juliette.

"Anything we have here could give us a shot in the arm," Moon said. "We appreciate all business."

Moon said he never imagined the impact of "Fried Green Tomatoes" would last this long.

"We have people who come here from all over the world," he said.

Adam Merims, the executive producer of "Baby Driver," said the scene filmed in Juliette is a significant one in the movie. The story revolves around a getaway driver, and the Juliette scene involves a police chase that ends on the bridge.

"It's one of the most important scenes in the movie," he said.

The movie's best-known stars, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx, weren't there Sunday, according to Merims.

Ansel Elgort, who plays the lead character "Baby," and Lily James, who plays Baby's love interest, were there. Some of the crew stayed in Forsyth on Saturday night and some would stay Sunday night as well before heading off to another location for filming, Merims said.

The story is set in the Atlanta area and most of the movie is being filmed there.

Merims said the crew was excited to visit Juliette. The Whistle Stop Cafe made four large boxes of fried green tomatoes to welcome the crew.

"Lily James, who is from England, didn't even know what a fried green tomato was," he said. "She was really excited and really loved it."

James played the title character in the live-action 2015 Disney film "Cinderella," and plays Lady Rose Aldridge on "Downton Abbey." The film also features Jon Hamm from "Mad Men."

Merims said several locations were considered before the Juliette location was chosen.

"The director wanted an iconic bridge by a river or lake," he said. "Our location scouts took us to a few places and this one was absolutely beautiful."

Merims said "Baby Driver" is a drama, and will be released in early 2017.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

This story was originally published April 17, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Filming of 'Baby Driver' takes place in Juliette ."