Ledger Staff Writer

A project getting ready to film in Gaffney will need some locals.

Extras Casting Director Tona Dahlquist said producers of the movie “Walker” will have a casting call Tuesday, April 26, at Gaffney High School from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Many more extras are needed, especially average-looking, down home folks and those with great character faces, said Dahlquist, who also did the casting for “The Dale Earnhardt Story,” “Radio” and “Forrest Gump.”

She is looking for extras of all ages - children through adults. Several of the scenes will require adult men with baseball playing experience, she said.

Anyone interested is asked to bring a nonreturnable photograph, snapshot or color copy.

Production is also seeking period vehicles dating from the late 1930s to 1957 in average, good and mint condition.

A casting call was held last weekend in Rock Hill. Another casting call is scheduled for Columbia on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Columbia Place Mall on Two Notch Road.

“Extras from all area locations are still needed and encouraged to attend,” she said.

Jeff Monks, commissioner of the S.C. Film Commission, said productions typically seek people who live where the movie will be filmed.

Filming will start next month in many small towns in South Carolina, including Gaffney, Camden, Great Falls, Chester and Inman.

Monks said producers of “Walker” liked the “look of Gaffney’s downtown area.”

“Elements of the town work well for the story,” he said.

“Walker” is set in 1957. It stars Jason Patric who plays a coal miner who is forced to make difficult decisions in his fight to save his two daughters.

Patric also starred in “Speed 2,” “The Lost Boys,” and “The Alamo.”

Monks said “Walker” is a major motion picture.

“This is certainly something that will be seen nationwide,” he said.

“Walker” will open in theaters in late 2006.

The film will be directed by Matt Williams, who also directed “What Women Want.” He also created the hit television series “Roseanne” and “Home Improvement.”