Farrell’s a sniper, Howard’s a hugger at Philly film shoot

Dead Man Down will be getting spirits up once again today in Center City, with more shooting planned all day on Walnut Street between 16th and 17th Streets.

Not only is a film being shot, but this mob movie has its share of gunplay, and lots of Terrence Howard fans have had the thrill of posing with the actor from Lafayette Hill.

Star Colin Farrell was on a rooftop late last week, playing a sniper, and some video of that action has been circulating online.

The plot involves a woman who tries get revenge on a crime boss, with Philly standing in for New York City, says IMDB.com.

Howard during a lull on Thursday afternoon toured the crowd along several corners of 17th and Walnut, posing with his arms around fans.

Danish director Niels Arden Oplev, who made the original Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, smiled and spoke briefly to Howard. That film's Swedish star Noomi Rapace is also in Dead Man Down, but may not be part of the Center City scenes.

But actor Luis da Silva Jr. was. He also waved to spectators.

One hysterical girl got so nervous posing with Howard, she dropped her phone, which fell apart.

Afterward, she shrieked, "I broke my phone and he picked it up!!!"

Howard also appeared to be shooting a restaurant scene inside the Latham Hotel with actor Armand Assante. A large dark car outside appeared to have a bullet hole in the front windshield.

On Wednesday, a gun battle was filmed at 17th and Walnut, a fan said.

Today was the last of four scheduled day for filming at that location.

Director Oplev was also scheduled to speak at Drexel University last night.

On CBS3 this morning, co-producer Joseph Zolfo said that today will be the ninth of 35 days of shooting in the city. Philadelphia's a great place to film, he said, because of tax incentives, great fans, and a laxer attitude than New York City about staging gunfights.

An old hangar at the Navy Yard will be used for sound stages, he said.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.