The sequel to the Dark Knight, Batman: Dark Knight Rises may lose an opportunity to film in Pittsburgh as originally planned. WTAE has reported that the state's film tax credit could lose as many as five films, one including the Dark Knight Rises. MTAE reports the following:
A freeze on remaining funds in Pennsylvania's Film Tax Credit Program could cause the state -- and Pittsburgh -- to lose as many as five feature films, including the highly-anticipated Batman sequel, "The Dark Knight Rises."
The tax credit program has currently been put on hold until the state budget is passed next month, which means the city, and the state, could lose out on big business.
"We believe that the new administration in Harrisburg, they understand the economics of all of that. Now is not the time to get out of the movie business, so to speak," said Pittsburgh Film Office Chairman Russ Streiner.
Streiner said applications can be filed up to 90 days prior to principal photography.
Pittsburgh-based Nancy Mosser Casting sent an e-mail to WTAE Channel 4 Action News Thursday night encouraging residents to contact local lawmakers and Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett to keep the productions from leaving.
"The producers of Batman and 2 other movies have all said if the money is not released they WILL go elsewhere and Pittsburgh will lose an astronomical amount of money," read a statement on the casting agency's website.
The Dark Knight Rises has a set release date of July 2012, but that may change if they have to find another location for shooting the film.
