Ben Affleck's 'The Town' closes Charlestown Bridge

After rain delayed production of Ben Affleck's "The Town" starting on Commercial Street and heading across the Charlestown Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 3, crews moved in early on Sunday, Oct. 4 to orchestrate an elaborate cops-and-robbers chase scene involving stunt doubles wearing masks and nun outfits.

Armed with a helicopter filming aerial shots, unit No. 2 with Affleck's blue-collar heist flick shut down the entire Charlestown Bridge around 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Production, which showcases the bridge in all of its glory, continued all day. The scene's climax involved a van catching on fire and ultimately blowing up.

As previously reported in Loaded Gun Boston, the bridge closing did cause a traffic snarl or two. One family, trying to make the trek to the North End for a family function, had issues reaching their final destination after finding out the bridge was closed early in the morning.

The chase scene topped some of the more sophisticated scenes from Boston's film past.

For example, the opening sequence of the Kevin Spacey flick "21" follows young prodigy Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess) making the trek across the Mass. Ave. Bridge to Cambridge and features breathtaking scenes of the Charles and a birds-eye view of the MIT campus and the quintessential overhead shot of several rowing crews on the Cambridge side of the river.

Helicopters filmed the bike scene which caused a traffic snarl after closing the entire Mass. Ave. Bridge on April 22, 2007.

Next week, crews with Tom Cruise's spy flick known as the untitled "Wichita" project plan to top the made-in-Boston action with an elaborate stunt involving a vehicle careening off of a bridge. The scene will shut down Rutherford Avenue from Sullivan Square to Austin Street for two Saturdays in a row.

Filming is slotted for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m, Sunday, Oct. 11 from 6 a.m to 1 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Also, "The Town" will make a return trip to the North End neighborhood this week. Here's the rundown:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at New Spin Laundry located at 100 Salem Street which will be transformed into a bank.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at Prince Street in front of Polcari Park.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Snowhill, N. Hudson and Charter streets.
• Thursday, Oct. 8 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Margaret and Sheafe streets.
• Thursday, Oct. 8 and Friday, Oct. 9 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Foster Street
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Salem, Prince, Hanover and Parmenter streets.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Pizzeria Regina located at 11 1/2 Thacher Street.

Click here for the latest on Affleck's "The Town."

--Copyrighted photos for Loaded Gun Boston by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo