Summary
Hit Mantells the story of an undercover worker for the New Orleans Police Department, begging the question of whether the filming locations matched the film’s setting. Starring Glen Powell at the head ofHit Man’s ensemble cast, the film tells the story of Gary Johnson. Gary is shown living a fairly unassuming life, working as a college professor while aiding the NOPD with undercover sting operations by providing his tech support. However, byHit Man’s climactic ending, Gary is pulled into working as an undercover mole himself, leading to raucous outcomes.
As alluded to, the film is set in New Orleans due to Gary’s place of work. The subject ofHit Man’s true story inspiration, the real Gary Johnson, was born in Louisiana but worked in Houston, with Linklater returning the setting to New Orleans. When concerning where the film was shot, questions will naturally be raised given that most Hollywood productions tend to substitute different locations that blur the line of where the film was produced and where it is set. With that in mind, here are the most prominent filming locations for Richard Linklater’sHit Man.
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Hit Man’s Establishing Shots Were Taken Around New Orleans
New Orleans Served As The Film’s Primary Location
In a show of somewhat rarity in modern Hollywood,Hit Manwas shot primarily in the city in which the story is set.A local news website,New Orleans Entertainment News, has provided a lot of information on where Linklater and his crew shot various sections of the film. Firstly, several important streets in the city were captured for the movie’s opening montage that establishes the city as Glen Powell’s Gary Johnson is driving home, from shots of street sign poetry from the intersections of Law and Desire and Pleasure and Piety to the Tivoli Circle and Allen Toussaint Boulevard.
Gary Johnson’s College Scenes Were Shot At The University Of New Orleans
Several Real University Buildings Were Used For Hit Man
With the film being set in New Orleans, it only makes sense forHit Man’s college scenes to use the official university of the city during production. There are several shots of the main campus at the University of New Orleans inHit Man, including a scene shot outside of the main center between Gary and his ex-wife in the movie. Some of the classrooms utilized in filming were housed in the Liberal Arts Building, while the Mathematics Building appears also.
Hit Man’s Various Diner Scenes Were Shot Around New Orleans
Real Establishments Provided The Basis Of Hit Man’s Biggest Scenes
ThroughoutHit Man’s story, several scenes are shown in which Powell’s Gary meets with various clients. These clients all pick somewhat inconspicuous places to meet Gary due to the illegal nature of their encounter, meaning several food places, diners, and restaurants around New Orleans were used to film some ofHit Man’sbiggest scenes.For example, the first scene in which Gary tries his hand at undercover work was filmed at Pho Bang Restaurant, an Asian cuisine place located in eastern New Orleans on Chef Menteur Highway.
Two of the more consequential locations in New Orleans found inHit Maninclude Ted’s Frostop and Please U Restaurant. The latter is where Gary meets Madison for the first time inHit Man, which is shot alongside surrounding areas like the Avenue Pub and several other stores. Ted’s Frostop is where Madison and Gary stop after their first confrontation with Ray, showcasing the popular diner on Calhoun Street.
Madison & Gary’s First Date Includes Two Popular New Orleans Locations
Hit Man’s Final New Orleans Filming Locations Explained
Shortly after their first meeting inHit Man, Madison and Gary go on an unofficial first date. The duo meet back up at a park where Madison is hosting an event for rescued puppies. The invitation text Madison sends Gary confirms that this is taking place at New Orleans' famous City Park. According toNew Orleans Entertainment News, director Richard Linklater lived close to the park during his time in the city, explaining his decision to film Madison and Gary’s fledgling relationship there.
After spending time in City Park, Madison and Gary head to a bar to continue getting to know one another. This bar is known in New Orleans as Vaughn’s Lounge, located on Dauphine Street. This marks the last of the recognizable locations used inHit Man’s production. Although the film is almost two hours long, many of the scenes take place inside the characters' houses or in exterior locations without any identifiable traits. However, if the rest ofHit Man’s filming locations are anything to go by, most - if not all - scenes in the film could be placed in real spots around New Orleans, Louisiana.
Hit Man
Cast
Hit Man centers on a mild-mannered professor involved in police sting operations as a fake hit man. His life spirals into chaos when he unexpectedly falls for a potential client, initiating a series of unforeseen complications and dilemmas.
