Georgia’s Athena Studios is wasting no time establishing itself as a player. After opening just this year, the studio has secured its first major production with Blumhouse Productions’ upcoming thriller “The Woman in the Yard.” Starring Danielle Deadwyler and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (of “Jungle Cruise” fame), the film is slated to begin shooting at Athena Studios in mid-April, spilling out into locations throughout Athens and Bostwick.

This early success for Athena Studios is a coup for the newly built facility and underscores the growing appeal of Athens as a film production hub. “The Woman in the Yard,” expected to hit theaters in January 2025, represents a significant economic boon for the region. Studio CEO Joel Harber anticipates a surge in local spending as Blumhouse utilizes Athens’ resources for catering, lodging, and potentially even filming locations within the city and surrounding areas. Harber encourages residents to consider registering their properties as potential filming sites to further capitalize on the film industry’s growing presence in Athens.