Meg Ryan film produced by Tom Hanks will be filmed in Virginia this summer

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Ithaca will be filmed in Virginia this June and July.  Actress Meg Ryan will direct and play a role in the movie along with Sam Shepard and Ryan’s son, Jack Quaid. 

Tom Hanks and his production company Playtone will be executive producers on the film set during WW II and based on William Saroyan’s 1942 book The Human Comedy.  One of Saroyan’s most popular novels, this coming-of-age story is a poignant and tender chronicle of the challenges of growing up during wartime.

The governor was quoted as saying, in a news release, “We couldn’t be happier that Meg Ryan has chosen Virginia as the location for her directorial debut. Ithaca is a heart-warming story, and we are proud that it will be shot in the Commonwealth.  We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks on this film about an important time in American history.”

Ryan described her Virginia welcome as “lovely”  and said hr group is “surprised by the cinemagraphic opportunities, the talent of the filmmaking community and the variety of resources at our disposal,” according to the news release.

Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds said the film “supports our mission of bringing jobs to the Commonwealth and expanding our workforce in television and film production.”

Ithaca will begin filming in July-August in the Richmond-Petersburg area, and will be eligible to receive a Virginia Film Tax Credit and Grant.  The exact amount will be based on Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased and deliverables including Virginia Tourism promotion. 

In 2012 the total economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia totaled $328.4 million and provided 3,061 jobs and $50.5 million in tax revenue, the news release said.