National Treasure: Edge of History debuts tonight on Disney+. The series, which was filmed earlier this year, is not only shot but it’s set in Baton Rouge. Film Baton Rouge Executive Director Katie Pryor said Disney spent over $50 million in the capital city, $17 million on payroll and that was only the beginning.
“You look at people who were here for six, nine months and going to restaurants and using the dry cleaners and living here. And using everything here,” said Pryor.
The series follows Lisette Olivera’s character as she follows clues to a lost treasure and uncovers family secrets along the way. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays her nemesis determined to find the lost relics before anyone else.
The series uses multiple locations in Baton Rouge, like the Old State Capitol, the Old Governor’s Mansion, and the USS Kidd to name a few. Pryor said when attractions like that are featured in a Disney production it’s a visual postcard of the city on a global scale.
“The tourism value of that, the marketing value of that is unbelievable,” said Pryor.
Pryor said it’s the old if you build it, they will come mantra and when other productions see what Baton Rouge can offer, they will follow.
“And so, you have other studios that are ‘Oh I filmed that in Baton Rouge,’ or ‘I remember I talked to so-and-so who filmed that in Baton Rouge,’ and ‘Didn’t they shoot that in Baton Rouge?’ And so, the more business you have the more of a reputation you gain,” said Pryor.
In addition to ideal visual locations, Pryor said trained film crews and established vendors in Baton Rouge only entice more productions to the area. The first two of ten episodes can be streamed tonight on Disney+.
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