Russellville Producer Lesa Wolfe Crowell Highlights Two Upcoming Arkansas Film Productions

(Shutterstock)

While speaking out for more state incentives for movie productions in Arkansas, Russellville producer, director and writer Lesa Wolfe Crowell gave Whispers readers a glimpse of two coming attractions made in the Natural State.

“‘Trail of Vengeance,’ which stars Rumer Willis, Academy Award-nominated actor Graham Greene [‘Dances With Wolves’], Jeff Fahey, Eric Nelsen, James Landry Hebert and Jeremy Sumpter, was all shot in July 2024 at locations all over northwest Arkansas,” Crowell said. “Skipstone Pictures produced it, and it was directed by Johnny Remo.”

The western, written by Remo and Dan Backman, will premiere in theaters May 20, Crowell said.

Remo decided to move his film company to Arkansas after shooting in Bentonville, Crowell said.

“We worked with Van Buren’s mayor [Joe Hurst] to close all of the old downtown part of the city. We had 120 background actors, we had 20 people on horses and we had wagons. We took Van Buren and transported it to the 1800s. I’m so proud of that movie, and it highlighted the beauty of Arkansas.”

She gave another thumbs-up to “In Fortune’s Shadow,” by David L. Hunt, the Arkansas director and writer who produced and directed “Greater,” the well-received story of Arkansas Razorback football walk-on Brandon Burlsworth.

The new thriller features Theo Rossi from “Emily the Criminal,” Michael Rooker from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” David Costabile from “Lincoln” and Jackie Earle Haley from “Watchmen.”

It is due in theaters this summer, Crowell said.