Hundreds of Tristate residents will be hired as extras in the largest movie production to come to town since Rain Man was filmed in 1988.

TODAY'S CHAT

Film Commission director Kristen Erwin joins Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk to discuss movie production in the Tristate, from 12:30-1 p.m.

        An open casting call has been set for next week at the Millennium Hotel, downtown, for the movie Seabiscuit, a Universal Studios drama based on the best-seller by Laura Hillenbrand about a Depression-era race horse.

        Director Gary Ross (Pleasantville), producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall (Back to the Future trilogy, Sixth Sense) have been here a week scouting locations.

        Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man) will earn between $12 million and $15 million to play jockey Red Pollard, according to the trade paper Variety.

        “I had a bus of 20 people riding around town (Wednesday) looking for Depression-era architecture,” said Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Film Commission director Kristen Erwin. “They loved the Union Terminal.”

        The group also looked at streets in Over-the-Rhine.

        Production is expected to begin in late October or early November, said Ms. Erwin, and last “several weeks” in Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville. It will also film in California and New York.

        Film representatives have visited River Downs in Anderson Township four times since February, said track publicist John Engelhardt. “

        Seabiscuit ran there twice, he said.

        Julie Balog, a spokeswoman for Keeneland racetrack, said the film wants to use the historical facility outside Lexington, but no agreement has been reached.

        No experience is required to apply as an extra, and people of all races, ages and body types are needed. Adults are invited to the Grand Ballroom in the Millennium, 141 W. Sixth St., next Friday at 9 or 11 a.m. or 1, 3 or 5 p.m. Children are invited Aug. 24 at 8 or 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 or 3 p.m.

        Applicants are asked to bring a photo no larger than 8-by-10 inches.

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