Crystal Now Clear

A press conference is planned for the week of April 28 to announce that the movie “Crystal” will be filmed in Northwest Arkansas.

Lisa Blount, born and raised in Fayetteville and who acted in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “The Accountant,” is expected to produce and star in “Crystal.”

Also, Arkansas native Billy Bob Thornton of “Sling Blade” and “Monster’s Ball,” is expected to play the leading male role in “Crystal.” Country music star Dwight Yoakam, who also performed in “Sling Blade,” could also be in the cast.

Filming of “Crystal” is expected to take place primarily from Fayetteville to Eureka Springs. Northwest Arkansas beat out Knoxville, Tenn., as the location for the filming. It is speculated that “Crystal” will have between a $3 million-$4 million budget.

Blount produced “The Accountant” with her husband, Ray McKinnon.

Dash Goff, a member of the Northwest Arkansas Film Commission, said “Crystal” would need many positions filled locally.

“They would need people to help cater, drivers, help with props and lumber, and extras for the movie,” Goff said. “They’ll even need bald headed guys and fat guys. Not everybody in a movie is a beauty queen.”

Goff would know, having acted in “Frank & Jesse” with Rob Lowe, Randy Travis and Bill Paxton. He was also in “Solitary Man,” “Man Outside” and “Fighting Mad” with Peter Fonda.