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After a week of filming across Rhode Island’s capital, J.J. Abrams called “wrap” on the Providence portion of his latest project, Ghostwriter, in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. The final stretch of filming unfolded on the Point Street Bridge, beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday morning when police closed the span to vehicle traffic. Nearly 21 hours later, just before sunrise, actor Glen Powell walked across the bridge alongside two companions in what became the production’s closing local scene. By 4:44 a.m., Abrams’ team had finished their work, signaling not only the end of the Rhode Island shoot but, reportedly, the conclusion of filming for the movie worldwide.
While Powell was the only lead actor on set in Providence, Ghostwriter also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jenna Ortega, and Emma Mackey. Most of the production took place earlier this year in England and Scotland, but the Rhode Island locations were chosen to anchor the film in a distinctly American setting. Local backdrops included Johnson & Wales University, Olneyville N.Y. System, and several Providence neighborhoods.
Though details remain under wraps, Ghostwriter—still considered a working title—follows a writer who discovers that the fictional world he creates actually exists. Abrams, known for projects that weave mystery and suspense into blockbuster spectacle, has not publicly commented on the narrative or final cut. As with many productions, the final scene shot on the Point Street Bridge may not appear as the film’s conclusion once it reaches theaters.
The overnight shoot on Point Street Bridge required meticulous preparation. Crews spent more than half of the 21-hour schedule installing lighting for nighttime filming and later dismantling equipment. The bridge closure eventually extended to pedestrians as well, though residents and visitors still gathered nearby to watch the action. Local businesses and passersby buzzed with excitement. Restaurants along Wickenden Street, including PVDonuts and Fellini Pizzeria, reported that the film dominated conversation throughout the day. “Everybody’s talking about it,” said Shannon Bankert, a Fellini employee. Even those inconvenienced by detours found themselves drawn into the spectacle. Akelo Agingu, who usually crosses the Point Street Bridge by foot after taking the bus from Cranston, rerouted over the Van Leesten pedestrian bridge. Rather than expressing frustration, she settled under a tree with her knitting, surrounded by the glow of movie lights.
For many Rhode Islanders, hosting a major Hollywood production brought both excitement and pride. Seeing Abrams’ crew take over iconic city landmarks offered a psychological lift and a chance to watch Providence play itself on the big screen. The Ghostwriter shoot may have been brief, but it left a strong impression. From bridge closures to late-night lighting rigs, the city was transformed into a film set for just one week—yet the anticipation will linger until audiences see how Providence appears when Abrams’ film arrives in theaters next year.
