Courtney B. Vance, Paramount’s ‘Heist 88’ Begins Filming in Chicago

Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance is back in Chicago for his next project, and filming begins today. The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story star is teaming with writer Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, Gunpowder & Sky, and Paramount Global for the drama Heist 88. The movie is expected begin filming in Chicago today and will wrap by Labor Day weekend, on September 2nd. The production is expected to consist of 23 days of filming throughout the Chicagoland area.

Written by Johnson-Cochran, the 1988-set Heist 88 tells the true story of arch-criminal and master manipulator Armand Moore (played by Vance) who persuaded four young, African-American employees of First National Bank of Chicago to steal $70 million via a sophisticated takedown of the banking wire system. The ensuing turn of thrilling events led to one of the largest heists in United States history.

Emmy Winner Returns to Chicago

Courtney B. Vance was recently in Chicago headlining the freshman AMC series 61st Street, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan. Click here to read about the series, which filmed through November of last year. Then click right here to binge the first season of 61st Street.

Vance won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series and a Critics’ Choice Award among other honors for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in FX’s The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which earned 22 Emmy nominations, winning nine. He co-starred in DreamWorks’ Office Christmas Party, in Universal’s The Mummy; and opposite Oprah Winfrey in HBO FilmsThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

Get to Know Dwayne Johnson-Cochran

Heist 88 screenwriter Dwayne Johnson-Cochran is no stranger to Chicago. He wrote and produced on the Chicago-made short-lived 90s TV series Angel Street, executive produced by John Wells for CBS. Johnson-Cochran also made his directing debut in the Windy City, in HBO’s 1999 movie Love and Action in Chicago, which starred his Heist 88 compatriot Vance.

You can sit back and enjoy the full 1999 HBO classic from Johnson-Cochran and Vance right here…

More announcements ahead, including supporting cast, production team, release dates, and more. Be sure to check back here at SCREEN Magazine as this project forges ahead this month. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.

Photo Credits: Courtney B. Vance Photo by Matthew Jordan Smith