Steven Spielberg movie shoot coming to Cape May

Is Cape May becoming “Hollywood East?”

For the second time since 2024, the quaint Victorian seaside resort will serve as the location for a major movie shoot – and locals may have a chance to land a role as an extra.

Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg will use Cape May for five days of filming in March for his latest project, reportedly a UFO flick.

Cape May hotelier Curtis Bashaw said in an interview Thursday the whole town “is buzzing” over the upcoming film shoot – both over the excitement it will bring as well as the economic benefits for the hospitality industry.

“We’re really excited to have a major film shoot coming in 2025,” said Bashaw, owner of six hotels in Cape May, including his flagship property, the historic Congress Hall.

Last spring, Cape May served as a stand-in for 1965-era Newport, Rhode Island, during the filming of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” starring Timothee Chalamet.

Bashaw noted that filming for “A Complete Unknown” resulted in members of the movie staying at three of his lodging properties, Congress Hall, the Virginia Hotel and the Beach Plum Farm.

    Hotelier Curtis Bashaw, pictured at Congress Hall, believes the film shoot will provide an economic boost to Cape May's hospitality industry during the offseason. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Bashaw)  

Citing confidentiality requirements, Bashaw declined to say whether his hotels will provide lodging for the upcoming Spielberg film shoot. But he pointed out that Cape May’s hospitality industry should benefit overall.

“It’s great for the hospitality industry in the offseason,” he said.

Bashaw believes that Cape May’s oceanfront location, history and Victorian-style architecture make it appealing to filmmakers wanting diversity for their movie sets.

He added that the state of New Jersey has made itself more inviting to filmmakers by offering them tax incentives and other benefits to shoot their movies in the Garden State.

Spielberg, who spent part of his childhood living in Haddonfield, has filmed other movies in New Jersey before.

Although some details remain under wraps, word has leaked out that Spielberg’s latest project is a UFO movie that will star Emily Blunt of “Oppenheimer” fame. At this time, the film is currently using the code name “Non-View.”

It will add to Spielberg’s resume of acclaimed alien-themed films, including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” from 1977, and “E.T.” from 1982.

    Cape May is proving to be a popular setting for major film shoots. (Courtesy of the city of Cape May)  

The filming is scheduled in Cape May for March 10 to 14. As part of the Cape May shoot, a casting call is out for extras to play train station passengers and car drivers in the movie.

More information on the film shoot and casting call can be found on the Facebook page of Grant Wilfley Casting.

Applicants seeking to play extras in the film must be at least 18 years old, but no previous acting experience is necessary. The base pay rate is $216 per day, along with a car allowance of $37.50.

To be considered for the film, send Grant Wilfley Casting an email at nj@gwcnyc.com. Use the subject line “Non-View Cape May Locals” and include this information:

• Name
• Preferred pronouns
• Phone number
• Are you a SAG-AFTRA member in good standing or NONSAG?
• What dates are you available for filming from March 10 to March 14?
• Do you have any visible tattoos?
• Please confirm that you are a Cape May, N.J., local and 18 years or older.
• Please attach current, nonprofessional photos of yourself. Make sure all photos are recent and in clear, plain lighting. No editing, filters, odd angles, sunglasses, hats, etc. Include close-up and full-body photos.
• If you have your own car to work with on camera, please note your car’s color/year/make/model. Attach photos of your car.

   Scenes for the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" were filmed in Cape May in 2024. (Photo courtesy of YouTube)