Toronto loses film; SARS cited
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Production of “Shall We Dance,” starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, is moving from Toronto to Winnipeg, Canada, in part because of Toronto’s SARS outbreak.
A Miramax spokesman said the fact that Winnipeg’s locations fit the script better played a bigger role in the decision. The film, to be directed by Peter Chelsom, is a remake of a 1997 Japanese film released by Miramax, with the remake set in Chicago. Shooting is set to start June 23.
Toronto has been battling to keep productions from leaving in the wake of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, citing a World Health Organization decision this week to lift its travel warning for the city.
“If they’ve moved it because of SARS, that is very unfortunate and completely unnecessary,” Toronto spokesman Brad Ross said. “If they’ve moved it for other reasons, we’re sorry to see them go.”
Last week, producers of a TNT remake of “The Goodbye Girl” chose another Canadian city, Vancouver, over Toronto, citing SARS as one reason.
James Bates
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