Apple's Raymond and Ray heads to Virginia for filming

Apple Original film Raymond and Ray, starring Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor, will begin filming in Virginia this autumn.

Directed by Rodrigo Garcia the film centres on half-brothers Raymond played by McGregor and Ray played by Hawke who have lived in the shadow of their terrible father, with their sense of humour still intact they use his funeral as a chance for them to reinvent themselves.

The Apple Studios production will be produced by Academy Award-winning Alfonso Cuarón whose credits includes Roma and Gravity. He teams up with Saving Private Ryan producer Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn who will produce through Mockingbird Pictures. The executive producers are Gabriela Rodriguez and Shea Kammer.

“Major projects like Raymond and Ray shine a powerful spotlight on and increase awareness of all that Virginia offers,” said Virginia governor Ralph Northam who announced the news. “We look forward to working with the film’s exceptional team and to the economic benefits a film of this scale will bring to Virginia workers and businesses.”

“The Virginia film, television, and new media industry is a source of strong economic growth for the Commonwealth,” added secretary of commerce and trade Brian Ball. “Projects like Raymond and Ray continue to build our profile as a preferred production location, and we eagerly anticipate the expansion of this important Virginia industry.”

“Attending the lovely Virginia Film Festival whetted our appetite to film in the Commonwealth," said Garcia and the producers in a joint statement. Adding that “the Virginia Film Office has been amazing, and we’re thrilled to bring Raymond and Ray here, with Apple’s support, to take advantage of the gorgeous locations and fall colours.”

Raymond and Ray will be eligible for a Virginia film tax credit or grant with the exact amount dependent on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and deliverables including Virginia tourism promotions.

Dylan K. Narang's feature Tapawingo, Hulu’s Dopesick, AMC’s The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and Apple TV’s Swagger have also filmed in the state recently.