'Summer Camp,' filmed in Hendersonville with Bates, Keaton and Woodard, has a release date

HENDERSONVILLE - "Summer Camp," a movie people in Western North Carolina have been anxiously waiting to see on the big screen since it was filmed in locations across Henderson County, and because many in the area were extras, now has a release date — and it's just in time for summer.

According to a news release, Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the movie, which was written and directed by Castille Landon, and has set the release date as May 31. The film stars Oscar-winning actresses Diane Keaton and Kathy Bates and also Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Alfre Woodard — "12 Years a Slave," "The Book of Clarence."

Keaton won Oscars for her roles in "First Wives Club" and "Annie Hall," and Bates won her Oscars for three films: "Misery," "Titanic" and "Richard Jewell."

Other big-name stars are Eugene Levy, who starred in the sitcom "Schitt’s Creek" and also the "American Pie" films. Beverly D'Angelo, known for her role in "National Lampoon’s Vacation," Dennis Haysbert, who has starred in "Far from Heaven" and "24," Nicole Richie, who was in "Bless This Mess" and Josh Peck of "Oppenheimer."

“We had a blast making 'Summer Camp,' bringing a cast of legends to an actual summer camp just outside Asheville, N.C., and the bonds they forged really show on screen,” Landon said in the release. “The film is a fun and heartfelt ode to friendship, with amazing performances all around, and the chemistry between Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy is rom-com gold. I hope audiences enjoy the opportunity to see the film on the big screen, and that they leave the theatre inspired to reconnect with their childhood friends."

Rath said when scouting locations for the movie, the crew members fell in love with the mountains of Western North Carolina. A lot of the movie was filmed at Camp Pinnacle in Hendersonville, and there were also scenes filmed at Blue Ridge Community College and UNC Health Pardee, Rath said.

"We had over 1,000 extras from the local area," the film's producer, Dori Rath, told the Times-News on April 9. "The area is chock full of summer camps, and each camp has more than 4,000 families that attend."

More: Film producer: Crew, stars Keaton, Bates, Woodard loving time in Asheville, Hendersonville

According to the news release, the move tells the story of Nora (Keaton), Ginny (Bates) and Mary (Woodard), who have been best friends since being inseparable at summer camp in their younger years. As the years have passed, they’ve seen each other less and less, so when the chance to reunite for a summer camp reunion arises, they all take it. Each of their lives might not be where they imagined, but one thing is for sure — Nora, Ginny, and Mary need each other, and summer camp reminds them why, the release said.

“Audiences will be overjoyed to share laughs around the campfire this spring with Diane, Kathy and Alfre in Castille Landon’s hilarious reunion pic,” said Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff, co-presidents of Roadside Attractions, in the release. “It’s clear this amazing group of women adored making this film, and their joy will spread to audiences when they see it.”

More: Celebrity sightings in Asheville, Hendersonville: Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates filming movie

"Summer Camp" is a Saks Picture Company production, in association with and financed by Grant S. Johnson’s Project Infinity. Producers include Alex Saks, Rath, Keaton, Stephanie Heaton-Harris and Tyler W. Konney. Johnson is the executive producer, with Mariela Villa and Elayne Schmidt serving as co-producers.

According to the release, since its founding in 2003, Roadside Attractions has had films that have grossed over $500 million and have garnered 23 Academy Award nominations.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Release date set for 'Summer Camp,' filmed in Hendersonville