Hollywood movie starring Owen Wilson leaves locals furious after road closures for film shoot cause major disruptions

Daily Mail​

21-05-2025

A film shoot for a major Hollywood movie starring Owen Wilson has left Gold Coast locals frustrated following road closures and major disruptions to businesses.
The Wedding Crashers star, 56, is currently Down Under shooting his latest action thriller Runner.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported residents in the suburb of Labrador were left fearful that their cars might be towed after production shut down Marine Parade, and they awoke to find tow trucks 'loaded with cars' on the suburban street.
One resident, Emily Pickering, took to a local community Facebook group on Monday night to share an image that showed two tow trucks on the street - one loaded with a car.
'If your car is still parked on Marine Pde you're getting towed tonight by the looks of it, you might want to try go move your car quickly!' she wrote.
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'Tow trucks non-stop coming and going.'
However, the publication reported that 'dozens' of cars were still parked on the road on Tuesday morning.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said that the production had informed locals of the road closure and warned them not to park on a 600-metre stretch of Marine Parade from 3pm on Monday afternoon.
'The Public Notification clearly stated where and when parking would be prohibited due to filming,' spokesperson said.
'Vehicles parked illegally in 'no parking' or 'no stopping' areas can be towed away at any time.'
Further, local councillor Joe Wilkinson shared a reminder to his Facebook page on Monday, featuring a map of the affected area.
'Residents and businesses in the area should have received a letterbox drop and door knock from the production company by this stage, and VMS boards will be in place to keep everyone informed,' he wrote.
'Thank you for your patience and support as we showcase our beautiful city.'
Traffic control officers told the publication that two cars had been moved to a side street while a member of the film crew said that the only cars towed were stunt and prop cars.
The spokesperson added that police advised six affected residents to move their cars, and that one car was towed to a safe location.
'It was not impounded and the owner was notified of the location,' the spokesperson said.
'The production will cover the cost of the towing.'
It comes after the production closed down major road in another Gold Coast suburb, Robina, on Monday, leaving local business owners furious.
Local business owner Heleina Jacovide told the Gold Coast Bulletin said that she was annoyed at the closure of the stretch of Robina Parkway, claiming she had only been given a day's notice.
'We only got told on Friday. In that time we've had to contact all our clients, we've had cancellations. It definitely has impacted us and impacted the other businesses along here,' she said.
Other business owners and employees also reported disruptions to trade as a result of the closure.
Local councillor Dan Doran told the publication he had opposed the road closure over potential impact to local business.
'It was my view that it would cause too much disruption to locals, commuters and business, and that the notification period was too short,' he said.
Owen is currently in Australia to film the action thriller Runner on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
He will star alongside Reacher star Alan Ritchson, and play the role of Ben, a medical courier charged with transporting an organ for a life-saving transplant.
Alan will portray Ben's begrudging bodyguard as the mission turns deadly when the leader of a crime syndicate becomes hell-bent on claiming the organ.
The action drama will be helmed by Scott Waugh, who directed the 2014 clip Need for Speed and, more recently in 2023, Expendables 4.