State Fair featured in "Parker" movie, in theaters Jan. 25

If you've seen the trailer for the latest action thriller starring Jason Statham, you may have noticed that it opens with an amusement ride and scenes of people having fun at a fair. What you may not have noticed from the trailer, though, is that it is, in fact, the Ohio State Fair. Check out the extended movie trailer below, starting right around the :20 mark (please use discretion, though - this movie is rated R).

 


You watched it, right?

Well, it all started in the months leading up to the 2011 Ohio State Fair, when a representative from the film reached out to administrators of the Ohio Expo Center. Plans were made for a small crew to come and film atmospheric footage during the Fair to blend with scenes shot in professional studios in New Orleans.

However, as discussions continued, the project expanded in scope and the director, producer and several of the stars traveled to Ohio to film scenes while the Fair was underway.

So, that August, as fairgoers enjoyed lemon shake-ups and rides down the Giant Slide, a film crew and prominent actors including Jason Statham descended upon the Ohio State Fair, spending two days shooting a variety of scenes which now make up the movie’s opening segment. Scripted scenes performed by professional actors have been coupled with footage of real Ohioans enjoying various aspects of the Fair, such as livestock shows, the daily parade, Midway rides and concerts by the 200 youth members of the All-Ohio State Fair Band.

The film is an adaptation of Donald Westlake’s novel "Flashfire," which follows professional thief Parker (Statham) while he travels the country in a fast-paced series of schemes and robberies. It also stars Jennifer Lopez, Michael Chiklis, Wendell Pierce and Nick Nolte, and is produced by Stratton Leopold. While the cast and crew were here shooting, an estimated $1.3 million dollars were spent in Ohio.

Get your tickets now - the movie opens next Friday, Jan. 25!