Russell Crowe and Zac Efron movie doubles Thailand for Vietnam

Apple Studios feature The Greatest Beer Run Ever, starring Russell Crowe and Zac Efron, is filming in Bangkok and Phuket as a stand-in for the Vietnam-set film. 

The buddy movie, which also films in Jersey city, is directed by Peter Farrelly (Green Book) based on the Chick Donahue and J.T. Molloy novel The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War.

Set in 1967, the adaptation tells Donohue’s (Efron) story of leaving New York to take beer to his childhood buddies in the army, while they were fighting in Vietnam. He hitched a ride on a Merchant Marine ship, then carried the beer through the jungle as he tried to track down his three friends whilst mistaken for the CIA dressed in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. 

The film is produced by Andrew Muscato and Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Goya Robles and Archie Renaux also join the cast. 

Thailand also recently housed the production of Apple TV Plus series Shantaram, starring Charlie Hunnam, which doubled the country for India. But production was halted in July after the Thailand Film Office temporarily shut down ongoing production in response to a Covid surge in the country.

In a social media post, Crowe said: "A favourite destination for many, but not a place I had ever been, outside of six or so layovers in Bangkok airport. The Thai govt have this very cool thing in place it’s called Sandbox Quarantine. If you are fully vaccinated you can fly to Phuket and move around the island freely. We had an obligation to the production I’m on to limit our movements but still managed to see the big Buddha and a waterfall or two. The weather in September was wet but so warm. When the sun did come out it was beyond gorgeous. Thai people are so friendly, so welcoming and of course the food is just amazing."