Patriots Day: SouthField to Double as Watertown in Marathon Bombing Movie

By ALEX NEWMAN (Patch Staff)

WATERTOWN, MA - After officials in Watertown opted not to allow filmmakers of an upcoming movie about the Boston Marathon bombings to recreate the shootout between law enforcement and the attackers in the community, much speculation arose over where the scene would be filmed.

Now, it has been officially announced that a set in Rockland will stand in for Watertown in the Mark Wahlberg-helmed "Patriots Day."

Rockland Town Administrator Allan Chiocca told the Braintree Forum that SouthField, a former Naval air base in South Weymouth, will be used for the gun battle.

SouthField is no stranger to Hollywood; last year, the upcoming "Ghostbusters" reboot was filmed at the site.

Producers for "Patriots Day" had hoped to shoot the scene at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street in Watertown, but in February Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced it would be in residents' best interest to not recreate the tragedy in the community.

"Patriots Day" stars Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, J.K. Simmons and Kevin Bacon; it will premiere in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles Dec. 21 before receiving a wide release Jan. 13.