Sandler to film sequel in Marblehead, Swampscott

The North Shore loved having Adam Sandler film scenes for his hit movie “Grown Ups” at various locations in 2009 – and it turned out he loved the area back.Sandler will film about half of the sequel to “Grown Ups” this summer at various locations in Marblehead as well as some scenes next door in Swampscott.Watch trailers and more at itemlive’s movies section.Charles Harrington, a location manager, told Marblehead selectmen Wednesday evening that filmmakers plan to shoot scenes at local schools and other locations “downtown and uptown,” including a thus-far undisclosed home on Marblehead Neck.Crew members are looking for temporary housing in and around the area, and Sande Alessi Casting is holding an open call for extras in Boston May 12 and 13.In 2009 Sandler, a New Hampshire native and Saturday Night Live veteran, spent six weeks shooting “Grown Ups” in Essex and two days shooting at a Harbor Avenue home in Marblehead. This time the figures will be reversed.Harrington, who recalled working on set at Abbot Hall for the filming of “The Witches of Eastwick,” said about half the sequel shooting will be in Marblehead, another 25 percent will take place in Swampscott and the rest in “Salem, Peabody, wherever we land.”The cast also includes Salma Hayek, Kevin James and SNL veterans Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade – and a surprise. One of the key scenes in the sequel involves David Spade having a run-in with a town police officer played by Shaquille O?Neal.Harrington and Mark Fitzgerald, who are meeting with Marblehead officials to iron out the filming details, promised that the crew will be out of town for Marblehead?s Arts Festival and Fourth of July fireworks. “We should be out of your way at the right times,” Harrington said.Marblehead selectmen were enthusiastic about Sandler?s return. “This is really going to help our economy this summer,” said Selectman James Nye. They approved Harrington?s request to film in town.When Swampscott, Temporary Town Administrator Dave Castellarin was asked about the filming schedule in that town, he replied, “It changes every day, but they?re thinking May, June, July and wrapping up in the middle of August.”Castellarin said a contract for using various locations in town should be arranged next week. Although nothing is official, location scouts have discussed renting the town-owned Temple Israel property for parking equipment and trailers. Filming is planned for several area homes as well as public places, including the Swampscott Train Station.But Castellarin cautioned that the plans change daily. He said plans to shoot a scene at Swampscott Cemetery discussed Wednesday had been scrapped as of Thursday afternoon.But he admitted he was “a little bit” excited to see Hollywood in town. “I?ve never dealt with a movie studio before.”Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].