Production will begin soon in Baton Rouge on a live-action feature film for Disney+. The futuristic teen adventure, titled Crater, will be filmed at Celtic Studios and on location throughout the capital region, with an estimated budget of $40 million. The project is expected to employ hundreds of Louisiana residents; production plans call for 325 crew members and 400 extras.

Crater is described as a coming-of-age story about a boy growing up on a lunar colony who takes a trip to explore a mysterious crater with his four best friends. Kyle Patrick Alvarez will direct the film with Shawn Levy and Dan Levine producing through their 21 Laps Entertainment banner.

The motion picture is the latest in a flurry of Louisiana filming since last year’s industry shutdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen movie and TV projects are in production or pre-production in the state at this time, reflecting Louisiana’s longstanding role as a leading destination for the entertainment industry.

“From movies to recorded music to live performance, entertainment helps to define our unique Louisiana culture,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Entertainment also is a significant contributor to our economy. Industry leaders such as The Walt Disney Company know that when they look to Louisiana, they will find a skilled workforce, first-rate sound stages, appealing locations and film-friendly communities. We are happy to welcome Disney to Baton Rouge for another exciting film project.”

The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates have filmed numerous motion picture and TV projects in Louisiana in the past 20 years, beginning with the 2004 baseball comedy Mr. 3000 and including Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger series for the Freeform network. Season two of Disney Channel’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs is currently in pre-production in Louisiana.

“Baton Rouge is thrilled to welcome a media and entertainment giant like Disney to our community,” said Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “This opportunity will be a significant investment in our economy and our local film industry. We look forward to building strong relationships with Disney, and establishing a foundation for future production opportunities at Celtic.”

In 2020, Louisiana Entertainment, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, certified almost $430 million in production spending, including more than $157 million in Louisiana resident payroll, for projects enrolled in the state’s Motion Picture Production Incentive Program.