A production planned by Taylor Swift and Disney+ at the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles has been cancelled following complaints from locals. The three-day long shoot, set to take place this week, was scrapped due to concerns about disrupting the peaceful environment and increasing foot traffic in the area.
The filming was scheduled to begin on March 13 ahead of the release of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) on Disney+. According to a permit given to neighbors, the crew was supposed to prepare for the shoot all day on the previous day, followed by a full day of filming from 9 am until 10 pm, and a subsequent full day tearing down the set. The permit also mentioned the use of aerial photography with remote control aircraft as part of the shoot, with drone activity scheduled for the evening of March 13.
Various organizations and home associations reportedly complained about the plans, leading to the cancellation of the production. However, an official reason for the cancellation has not been provided. Philip Sokoloski of FilmLA confirmed the production’s cancellation, and Disney clarified that Swift would not be in attendance at the shoot.
The latest version of the ‘Eras Tour’ movie, set to include Swift’s performance of the fan-favorite ballad ‘Cardigan’ from her Grammy-winning album ‘Folklore’, is being released on Disney+ on March 14. The original cut of the movie made over £204 million ($260 million) in the box office and received critical acclaim.
In a four-star review of the concert film, NME wrote: “It’s a staggering feat. In the space of one seamless performance, Swift is at turns a playfully eccentric artist, a country star, and a genuine pop icon.” Swift recently closed the Singapore leg of her record-breaking world tour, with her appearance likely to boost the country’s GDP by more than £155 million ($200 million).