DUBAI // It's a film, Jim, but not Kung Fu Yoga.
Yesterday's shoot in JLT had the south side of Dubai excited about what was believed to be the shoot for Jackie Chan's new movie, Kung Fu Yoga, as a helicopter hovered up and down a building with a film crew hanging from the side. It wasn't. It was Star Trek Beyond.
We were a little suspicious about this to start with. Star Trek Beyond, which is also filming in the city this week, had already stated it was looking to film a vertical city, while Kung Fu Yoga seems to be more about Kung Fu, yoga, and some car chases. We had our own ideas about which would require helicopters hovering up and down the outside of a building in JLT.
Nonetheless, witnesses yesterday said they had seen Jackie Chan close to JLT Metro station, and radio stations were reporting road closures due to Kung Fu Yoga shooting. In the absence of more reliable information we brought you that news. Sometimes, however, it appears people can get overexcited, and your first suspicions were correct. Perhaps Star Trek features a dolly grip or security guard who bears a striking likeness to Jackie Chan? Or perhaps our witness was Ron Atkinson.
More rigorous investigation, and time, has informed us that many local residents and workers were confused by the information from security and signs as they passed through the security cordons that a new film, Washington, was filming outside their building.
One could be forgiven for thinking that a third Hollywood film had landed in the city, were it not for the fact that our sources were also at the recent Star Trek casting, and despite heavy security managed to smuggle out the above photo featuring the film’s code name – Washington.
As pieces began to fit into place, we asked some of our contacts in the local industry, although with the presence of non-disclosure agreements they were naturally silent. Until one hardy soul piped up: "Look, Kung Fu Yoga is basically being made on a Bollywood budget. Do you really think they have the money to close half of JLT and have blades in the air all morning, as well as Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday?" [The implied suffix was "and everything else that's going to happen."]
A valid question, and one that suggests JLT residents have just witnessed some background shooting for Star Trek Beyond. We understand further ground shooting was planned for this morning, however the schedule may have been rearranged for a new date following unexpected press interest.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
