By JOHN WHITE
Daily Times and Chronicle, February 27, 2008
BURLINGTON — If patrons of the Burlington Mall notice holiday decorations about five weeks from now, don’t think it’s a rush to create a nine-month shopping season.
The decorations will be part of the backdrop as scenes from the film “Mall Cop” will be shot at the mall beginning March 24, the day after Easter.
Representatives of the mall and Columbia Pictures met with town officials recently to explain there may be some unusual occurrences in and out and around the mall.
Shooting at the mall is scheduled for March 24 to May 2.
During a brief discussion at the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting, officials expressed enthusiasm about the economic impact on the local community, including the use of a number of hotel rooms in town.
“Mall Cop” involves a plot, as described on IMDb.com (the Internet Movie Database), in which an organized gang of crooks takes over a mall and a security guard is left to save the day.
The movie, financed by comedian Adam Sandler, will feature Kevin James, known for his starring role on the television show “King of Queens.”
It is due for release on Jan. 16, 2009.
Nick Paleologos, former state representative from Woburn, is now executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office.
He said his office was contacted about finding a mall for a movie location.
Paleologos explained his role was to note the location of various malls around the Boston area. The moviemakers were then left to select a location and negotiate with the owner, in this instance, Simon Property Group.
Tax incentives for moviemakers have led to a number of movies being made in the state, noted Paleologos. He added many filmmakers are now looking to go outside of Boston and seek locations in the suburbs.