Anne Hathaway drama doubles New Jersey for New England

Searchlight Pictures’ Eileen starring Anne Hathaway is doubling New Jersey for New England, according to local mayor Jonathan M. Busch.

Based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel, the 1960s set drama follows a young woman who works in a boys’ prison outside of Boston who gets pulled into a bizarre crime.

Filming is underway and will shoot entirely in New Jersey, including locations at Lagoda's Saloon in South Amboy, Paramus, Jersey City, Metuchen, Sandy Hook and Cranford.

The Girl on the Train screenwriter Erin Cressida adapted the screenplay, with William Oldroyd (Lady McBeth) on board to direct and Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men) to produce. Shea Whigham and Thomasin Mckenzie also star in the cast.

New Jersey offers a tax credit of 30%, with the rate 35% in certain municipalities, and an additional 2% if a diversity plan is submitted and achieved.  Production companies must incur at least 60% of total production expenses in state, or more than $1m in qualifying expenditure.

Apple Studios feature The Greatest Beer Run Ever, starring Russell Crowe and Zac Efron also recently filmed in the state.

Eileen is expected to be released next year.