What Warner Bros. movie is filming in downtown Stockton? Here's what we know

Lights, camera, action.

The streets of downtown Stockton were buzzing Monday morning as a new Warner Bros. movie was rumored to be filming at Main and San Joaquin streets.

Around 10 a.m., people who work in downtown Stockton shared photos and videos of an arrest scene being filmed near the iconic Bob Hope Theatre. Several Stockton Police Department vehicles were spotted next to production crews.

Actors were also spotted filming at the former San Joaquin County Courthouse downtown.

Trucks with a Warner Bros. logo were lined up on the side of the road. "Tow away" signs were hung up in a few blocks, including Sutter Street between Market and Main streets. The signs warned drivers not to park in the area from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to Wednesday.

Wes Rhea, CEO of Visit Stockton and film liaison for the Stockton and San Joaquin Film Commission, couldn't confirm which movie is being filmed. He said the commission prioritizes "maintaining the utmost discretion when it comes to companies filming in Stockton."

There has been online speculation that it is Paul Thomas Anderson's latest movie, "BC Project." It is reportedly based on the Thomas Pynchon novel “Vineland,” set in California in 1984.

The movie stars Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, Regina Hall of "Girls Trip" fame, and singer-songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor.

DiCaprio and Taylor shot scenes at a Sacramento courthouse over the weekend, according to Fox40 and KCRA 3.

Before shooting scenes in Sacramento, the Warner Bros. movie production took place in Eureka, about 300 miles north of the capital city.

"We are thrilled that Warner Bros. has selected Stockton as one of the filming locations for their upcoming feature film," Rhea said. "Major film productions like this one not only contribute significantly to our local economy but also instill a sense of local pride and enhance our visibility within the film industry."

The permit process was initiated with the city and the county in mid-January, and the process of selecting locations began over a year ago, according to Rhea.

He anticipates additional filming in Stockton later this month but cannot disclose future dates or locations.

Stockton's history with Hollywood

Stockton has a rich history with Hollywood. Throughout the decades, filmmakers have brought cameras and stars to some of Stockton's most iconic landmarks.

The 1949 Academy Award winner, "All the King's Men," was shot entirely in Stockton and featured several prominent locations, including the historic city hall and Hotel Stockton. The hotel makes a special appearance when the titular character, Willie Stark, becomes the governor. Stark delivers his victory speech from the hotel's 133 East Weber Avenue balcony.

Other movies filmed in Stockton include "Cool Hand Luke," "Strawberry Statement," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "Flubber." Viewers can see the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium and the University of the Pacific depicted in those movies.

Filming permits in Stockton and San Joaquin County are free, which could make the area appealing to production crews.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Warner Bros. movie filming closes streets in downtown Stockton