Filming equipment outside the Bank Saloon on March 20, 2025.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
Nevada’s capital had a Hollywood moment Thursday afternoon. A film crew gathered at the Bank Saloon at the corner of Fifth and Carson streets to shoot for a movie, “Casa Grande.”
Executive Producer Ali Afshar told the Appeal it’s special when a movie is filmed in a community, and people can see their own streets, buildings and homes immortalized. Plus, it brings economic activity, he said.
“We’ve really liked being here,” he said.
Afshar was with ESX Entertainment in partnership with Warner Bros. It’s not his first time in the area. He said when he was a kid, his parents, from Iran, used to take him skiing at Lake Tahoe. He said locals have welcomed him and the film crew “with open arms.”
From left, ‘Casa Grande’ Director of Photography Reuben Steinberg, Director Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, and Executive Producer Ali Afshar behind the Bank Saloon on March 20, 2025. (Scott Neuffer photo)
Based on the TV series streaming on Amazon, “Casa Grande” stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Bruce Davison, John Pyper-Ferguson, Madison Lawlor, Christina Moore, Kate Mansi, Lauren Swickard and others.
“A prodigal daughter rejoins her family at their farm during a difficult time, as her ailing father faces both a terminal diagnosis and mounting pressure from competitors. Old wounds resurface as they grapple with what lies ahead,” says the film’s IMDb listing.
Emily Skyle-Golden with the Film Northen Nevada Initiative (also executive director of the Cordillera International Film Festival) was working as location manager for the feature. When asked to describe the film, she had two words:
“‘Yellowstone’ vibes,” she said, referring to the TV series with Kevin Costner.
The “Casa Grande” crew had already filmed at Genoa Livestock in Carson Valley and planned for more Northern Nevada locations including another day in Carson. The additional Carson locations weren’t disclosed, however, as filmmakers preferred to keep them confidential until after filming.
Lydia Beck, marketing and PR manager for Visit Carson City, helped coordinate the film locations. She said about 90 cast and crew members were staying in the capital while shooting. The exposure for the region is great, she said, but also the economic impact of the visitors.
“Those people are here and spending money and enjoying the region on their time off,” she said. “We are thrilled to have them here.”
Afshar expected the film to be released by the end of the year or beginning of 2026, though distribution had not yet been finalized. He said ESX was shooting two films in Nevada this year. In April, crews will be at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas filming “High Stakes Holiday” with Violet and Madeleine McCraw.
Asked to describe this second film, Afshar said, “‘Home Alone’ meets ‘Diehard.’”
For information about “Casa Grande” go to imdb.com/title/tt35887288.