Den of Thieves is an American heist movie from 2018 that was written-directed and produced by Christian Gudegast. Gerard Butler, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Evan Jones, Dawn Olivieri, Mo McRae and Max Holloway are some of the actors who are in it. The exciting story of Den of Thieves takes place in the busy streets of Los Angeles and is about crime, loyalty, and lying. Another interesting fact is that not all of the movie was shot in the City of Angels. The dark nightclubs and high-speed gunfights that gave the movie its rough edge are just as much a part of the story as the characters. Where did the filmmakers get the ideas for this complicated plot? Let’s get into the story and find out what happened at the filming locations.
Den of Thieves Plot Summary
The movie shows a tense fight between a group of ex-MarsOC Marines who have become bank robbers and Detective Nick “Big Nick” O’Brien’s strict Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gang unit.
An armored truck is violently taken over at the beginning of the story, which leads to a deadly shootout that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The thieves, led by Ray Merrimen, are planning a huge, almost impossible heist at the Federal Reserve to get cash that can’t be tracked before it is shredded.
Nick’s team looks into the crime and uses questionable methods to get close to Merrimen’s crew. Donnie, a bartender who drives the thieves around without a gun, is their main lead.
As the thieves get deeper into the Federal Reserve, a series of false leads and surprises happen. At first, Donnie was seen as a pawn but he turns out to be the real mastermind. Nick and his team are left empty-handed after the final shootout and Merrimen’s death. Donnie, on the other hand, runs away to start a new life abroad; which suggests that there will be another heist soon.
Where was ‘Den of Thieves’ filmed?
From January 2017, Den of Thieves has been being filmed. The movie takes place in Los Angeles, but the locations were a mix of real and made-up ones. Most of the filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia. The movie was shot with an Arri Alexa XT Plus digital camera by director of photography Terry Stacey. Let’s talk about the places..
1. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta was the main place where the movie was filmed and the streets there were turned into those in Los Angeles. The city’s many uses and tax breaks made it a great choice for the production.
Bluff Street SW: The dramatic fight between Detective O’Brien and Merrimen took place here. The rough urban setting made the high-stakes confrontation feel more real.
The crazy shootout in a traffic jam was filmed on Murphy Avenue SW, which shows how tense and dangerous the situation was. This scene showed how rough and unpredictable the movie was.
438 Henry Ford II Avenue, also known as “Angel City Doughnuts” in the movie, was a key place for character interactions and plot development.
2. Johnny’s Hideaway, Atlanta – Ziggy’s Club Interiors
Johnny’s Hideaway on Roswell Road NE was used to film the inside of Ziggy’s Club, which is where a lot of the action takes place. With its realistic feel and atmosphere, this famous Atlanta nightclub gave the scenes a place to land that was easy to remember.
3. Setting shots in Los Angeles, California
Even though Atlanta was used as Los Angeles, some important shots had to be taken in Los Angeles to keep the realism.
• Vincent Thomas Bridge: Aerial shots used the famous bridge as a background, which helped the movie stay true to its supposed setting.
• Federal Prisoner of War Camp on Terminal Island: This real federal prison was in the movie, which made Merrimen’s story seem more real.
• Skyline of Downtown Los Angeles: In sharp contrast to the Atlanta-shot sequences, sweeping views of the city’s skyline completed the film’s setting.
4. Federal Reserve Scenes – The Crown Jewel of the Heist
The main plot of the movie was the theft from the Federal Reserve. Even though the real building wasn’t used, the complex interiors and well-thought-out plan for the robbery were meant to make it seem like it happened in a high-security place. To make the scenes look like the famous Federal Reserve, a mix of real sets and digital effects were used.
The places where the movie was shot were very important to the story. The streets of Atlanta brought the sexiness of Los Angeles to life, and real-life locations like the Vincent Thomas Bridge kept the movie true to its setting.
Den of Thieves isn’t just a crime story; it’s also a place story. The movie felt more real and had more depth because of where it was filmed. Atlanta worked well as a stand-in for Los Angeles. The movie is still a thrilling example of how settings can make a story better; thanks to its action-packed scenes and well-thought-out settings. As Donnie plans his next theft, we can’t help but wonder where the movie will go next.
Is Den of Thieves Worth Watching?
Yes, if you like really exciting crime movies with lots of drama. Ben Foster plays tough cop “Big Nick” O’Brien, who goes up against Pablo Schreiber as a skilled thief in Den of Thieves. The movie is a lot like the old crime movie Heat, but it’s not quite as smooth. There are heists, shootouts, and a lot of tension between the police and criminals.
Gerard Butler’s rough acting is what makes it fun to watch. It’s not like most heroes are perfect; he has flaws, is messy, and sometimes I don’t like him. The thief, played by Pablo Schreiber is cool and smart and O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube’s son, gives the story heart as a driver who is caught between two groups.
You should watch Den of Thieves if you like crime shows with big characters, smart turns, and lots of action. It’s the kind of movie that never takes itself too seriously but still has enough exciting parts to keep you watching. It’s a great time to catch up before the second movie comes out.
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