Small Illinois town becomes the set of a John Goodman movie overnight
John Goodman and Bryan Cranston, among many more celebrities, filmed inside a former Hardee's. The movie, based on a true story, follows the efforts of a woman who found a finger in her bowl of chili to leverage the situation for a payout.
Goodman's likeness replaced the fast food chain's sign.
Residents have been in a frenzy to get a look at some of the nation's most well-known celebrities.
'John Goodman and Sean Astin, and I can't remember who else was in it, but I was like, these are like legit stars,' said Monticello resident Andrew Bailey. 'It's so cool. I've seen tons of movies with them.'
'I looked up and I said, 'That woman in line looked so familiar,' and we waited for her to speak,' said Owner of the Brown Bag, Leslie Sims.
Sims could not believe her eyes when she saw actress Judy Greer standing in front of her ordering a sandwich.
Business owners around the area have cited an uptick in the local economy.
'The restaurants were full last night. The parking lot was full,' said Monticello resident Susan Chumbley.
Film crews will be moving from Monticello to Paxton on Friday to shoot the next portion of the movie.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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