‘AKA Jimmy Picard’, starring Benicio Del Toro, begins filming in Monroe, Michigan

Yes, I would like to reply Jenn. I am also a big fan of his! I loved his work in “Traffic “but, he really won me over in “Excess Baggage”!
I was at work , in Byron, so I couldn’t comment until now, but he was NOT there today.
We had the times for the shoot but I wasn’t at liberty to give them at that point.
It was 7am to 11am today and then again tomorrow until 4pm.
The only thing at the high school is base camp. The actual shoot was at what was once the Byron area hospital, right next to the current ambulance building. They only had to block off about a block through town so, not that much of an inconvenience with us trying to get to work. Everyone was so cordial and polite and when they were customers, they were some of the most polite and best ones I have had yet! What a wonderful and professional crew! They treated us
“locals” with such respect!
Tomorrow the shoot will be at the railroad station for a scene featuring Benicio inside the train.
Byron has such a rich history, and some of it Indian history; anyway, as it is commonly taught in our local history classes at Byron El” that an Indian was actually killed in the old hospital while trying to steal some bread. The town is also known for being Michigan’s capital for a day and we have had a nationally known nurse, of which there is a monument in our cemetery for her work during the war.
The house which was once a hospital is currently a residence, and we got to talk to the lady who owns it today, when she came to Janelle’s. She was very happy to have them using her front porch for the shoot. Although a little inconvenienced as she couldn’t use her own bathroom during the shoot. We were glad to have her at Janelle’s to get the “skinny” on things.
She has done a lot of nice things to the rather large home.
We used to know Joe and Nancy Delbecque who once lived there with their two children. Their oldest went to school with our oldest who graduated from Byron. So, I have been in the home and seen many different renovations. Pretty cool old house!
I live in the neighboring community but, two of my sons have graduated from Byron, MI and I work there every day at a wonderful family restaurant named Janelle’s. Please come in and try our food! You will like our staff, and our atmosphere, as well as the yummy home cooked food!
We are hoping to serve the crew (and hopefully the cast, if they’ll come!) tomorrow before or after their shoot!
Maybe if you come to the restaurant you will get a glimpse of somebody… or at least get to visit in a nice atmosphere with the people who work on the set.
It was so AMAZING to talk with the crew today as I got to hear some of their stories as to how they got into show business, behind the scenes, and how they were affiliated with this wonderful project.
It has been an exciting day to say the least, even though I didn’t get to wait on Benicio or see or meet the principal cast, I met some amazing and talented people who make movie magic for the rest of us!
Tomorrow it is also rumored (by some of the set crew-no less-) that they will be making rain for the scene and they have some big equipment with which to do this.
It find it ironic that they are using our small town of Byron, while making a movie about such dynamic things as a world war II Vet, who was also Blackfoot Indian and dream analysis; because our small town also has such a rich history.
I also think it’s great that they are in Michigan, using Michigan workers and in our small town. For being small, Byron has a huge pool of talent that Hollywood doesn’t even know about. A lot of Byron kids have some really awesome talent in music, dance and theater.
We have some older people in the town who also are very musically and dramatically talented. You would be surprised what you find in this small town filled with good, and kind people, besides the old time homes and railroad station. If you look, you may find a lot more.
Even a great restaurant!

Jenn, Hope this helps you. We are headed up there in a little bit because the set guy told me he would be there later in the afternoon when the “rain” equipment got there for the train scene. Not a lot of room to “gauck” , so I am told around the little train station area. Shown in the UK first, I believe, when it comes out. A lot of French actors and budget around 9 million. Not as big as some but really big for Byron. They told me they’ve been shooting for about 3 weeks out in your area/ Monroe before this. On to Montana next.