'Bounty Hunter’ a Good Bet for Atlantic City Tourism

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New Aniston-Butler flick puts Atlantic City on the big screen this spring

By Jeff Schwachter

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Mar. 23, 2010

Several scenes in the film were shot at the Borgata in Atlantic City.

Last June when filmmakers of The Bounty Hunter were filming in Atlantic City, not only did they capture Atlantic City Weekly’s June 25, 2009 cover (in a red box on the Boardwalk!) for celluloid eternity — look for it about half-way through the movie — but they also did a great thing for the resort town.

With assistance from city officials, especially over at the Borgata and Trump Taj Mahal, where several of the scenes of the new film starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler were shot, the producers of The Bounty Hunter, released to theaters March 19, captured Atlantic City’s glitz for moviegoers to witness on the big screen like never before.

Sure the seedy side of Atlantic City is captured in the movie too, but so is the “new” Atlantic City — the glamor, the entertainment, the plush rooms, the excitement.

The movie, a PG-13 romantic-action-comedy-thriller, did $22 million this past weekend at the box office, which means that a heck of a lot of people from all over the country now have Atlantic City — and Aniston’s legs — on their minds.

“It’s just great for Atlantic City,” says Dave Coskey, marketing guru for the Borgata. It is Coskey’s team over at the Borgata that played a key role in helping to bring the filming to town, get the Borgata's name out there — check out the taxi cabs throughout the film — and that held a special advanced screening of the The Bounty Hunter for media and other guests last Thursday, March 18, at the Borgata’s Music Box.

The event was hosted by none other than Mr. MovieFone himself, Russ Leatherman, who was flown in from Los Angeles just for the advanced screening. It was a nice touch for the event.

The film got a ton of national press before and after its first weekend in theaters and although some of the reviews haven’t been great, the movie is a fun, action-packed ride around the tri-state area with a pair of great-looking leads and some terrific footage of Atlantic City on screen. It's no Juno, but it could certainly be worse.

People who know Atlantic City always say how cool It is to see the resort on the big screen.

And how true that is for those living in the Atlantic City area and for A.C. buffs in general who can tell you exactly how many movies have been shot in Atlantic City from the 1980 Louis Malle film to 2005’s Duane Hopwood starring (ironically Aniston’s Friends co-star) David Schwimmer.

Add The Bounty Hunter to the list. It’s worth a watch just to see Atlantic City up there on the big screen. Kudos to all involved in getting Atlantic City out there for the world to see.

A genius marketing idea from the get-go, especially right before the city’s major tourism season begins.

Look for Lori Hoffman's real movie review on The Bounty Hunter in this week's issue.

Details about the Borgata’s ‘Follow the Bounty to Borgata’ hotel package, good through April 10 include:

• Overnight accommodations in a spectacular Hideaway Suite at The Water Club at Borgata

• Spa treatment from Immersion Spa’s Bounty-Inspired menu, including the Ultimate Oxygenating Facial by Intraceuticals (Jennifer Aniston is reportedly a fan) or a Men’s Deluxe Facial

• Complimentary use of the Fitness Center during stay, to keep guests buff and toned Hollywood-style

• $200 Food & Beverage Credit, which can be used at any of Borgata’s fine or casual dining restaurants, including Bobby Flay Steak or Seablue by Michael Mina where Jennifer Aniston and crew dined while filming

• $100 Retail Credit for any Borgata boutique, which can be used to buy sunglasses for those staying incognito to escape their own bounty hunters

• VIP Entry and Complimentary Admission to MIXX and mur.mur nightclubs to pass the velvet rope like any A-lister

Package Price is $1,499 per night and is available weekends only (Friday through Sunday) at The Water Club. For more information about packages at Borgata, visit www.theborgata.com or call 609-317-7555.