Will Ferrell Totally Wants You

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on May 4, 2005 6:43PM

Having finished their work at UIC last week, the makers of the film Stranger Than Fiction move downtown to Daley Plaza this June and are looking for some authentic city background. This means you.

If you’re looking to gaze longingly at Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman (from a respectable, non stalker-y distance and God help you if you ask for an autograph!), then why not become an extra in the film? Alert reader Dan says they need 500 extras “especially males in their 30s and 40s.” Call 312-343-1914 to make an appointment where you’ll give them a color photo (of you, dude) and they’ll give you a questionnaire to fill out. All appointments are at 770 N. Halsted between 9 AM and 5 PM.

For more info on how to be an extra, check this site then call the Chicago Film Office's Extras Hotline at 312-427-FILM. There are several productions coming to town in the next couple of months like The Break Up with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston starting in June, the television movie Pleading Guilty based on the Scott Turow novel, and Drunk Boat with John Malkovich, a film written specifically for Chicago which may be why it's taken so long get off the ground. Plans to make the film have been afoot since at least 2003.