Birmingham Welcomes New Action Thriller ‘Gunner’
In a recent highlight for the local entertainment scene, Gunner, an action-packed thriller featuring a star-studded cast, has officially launched. The film was shot in Birmingham and is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime, which is sure to excite local movie buffs and fans of this genre.
Storyline Overview
Directed by Joel Shapiro, a resident of Vestavia Hills, Gunner revolves around Lee Gunner, played by Luke Hemsworth. The narrative follows Lee as he embarks on a desperate mission to save his children, Luke and Travis, from a group of dangerous criminals following a camping trip that takes a turn for the worse. The film also boasts legendary Oscar winner Morgan Freeman among its high-profile cast.
Meet Grant Feely
Among the bright young talents featured is Grant Feely, a 12-year-old actor from Vestavia Hills. Grant plays the role of Luke Gunner, one of the children that his character’s father tries to rescue. In a recent conversation, Grant opened up about his experience working alongside such esteemed names in the industry.
“My favorite co-star was probably Connor DeWolf, who played my brother,” he shared. “I didn’t meet Morgan Freeman, unfortunately, but I probably would have gotten star struck around him. With Luke [Hemsworth], I didn’t get starstruck because he cracked a joke and broke the ice immediately, so it was really easy to be around him.”
Local Filming Locations
Filming for Gunner took place in several notable spots around Birmingham, including the historic Sloss Furnaces. Grant expressed his enthusiasm about filming in familiar surroundings, saying, “Usually I have to travel all over the place, and it was cool being able to be at my house and then 30 minutes later be on set. We filmed in a lot of historical locations here in Birmingham. I’ve been on field trips to some of these places, so to see them without being there for school was pretty cool.”
The Inspiration Behind Acting
When it comes to how Grant got his start in acting, he stated, “I got interested in acting after watching behind-the-scenes videos of my favorite shows and movies on YouTube. One day I realized I want to be a part of it. I went to my mom, and we started going to acting classes in the area, and it just went from there.”
Grant was also quick to note the support he receives from his school in balancing his acting career with his education. “My school is really great with balancing and helping me when I have to leave and go out of town for periods of time,” he said. This level of support has allowed him to pursue his passion while keeping up with his studies.
Future Projects
Fans of Grant can look forward to seeing him in upcoming projects, including a short film titled Devotee and an episode of Chicago PD set to premiere in late September.
Catch ‘Gunner’ Today
For those eager to catch all the action, Gunner is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Whether you’re a local looking to see familiar sights on screen or just a fan of heart-pounding thrillers, this film is worth checking out.
If you plan to watch Gunner, let us know your thoughts! Keep the conversation going, Birmingham.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
