Sen. Wiens' ranch gets him a part in Murphy film

April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, October 5, 2007

State Sen. Tom Wiens made his Hollywood debut Thursday in an Eddie Murphy film being shot in Denver.

Crews for Murphy's new movie NowhereLand have been in town this week, shooting at Riverfront Park and at Wiens' Sedalia ranch.

Wiens, a Republican, has scored a small speaking part in the film. He shot a scene Thursday at Green Gables Country Club in Denver.

"Colorado has senators that are obviously natural actors," Wiens joked. "I figure acting worked for Ronald Reagan. Who knows, maybe I'll be governor of California some day."

Filming was to get under way about 2 p.m., with Wiens meeting Murphy's crew at its command post at the Belmar Center in Lakewood.

"They told me to come early so we can do make-up," Wiens said. "They said, 'I know you don't want to do that, but think of it this way, your face will definitely be on the screen and it will be two feet tall.' "

Wiens' "15 minutes of fame" will take place on the golf course. In the scene, Eddie Murphy pitches a stock deal to his buddies.

Murphy's film crew has been traveling back and forth to Wiens' ranch for five months, preparing it for the filming, which will proceed for several days, Wiens said.

He is being paid an undisclosed fee for his ranch and time.

Transforming the 1,700-acre ranch into a makeshift Indian reservation has been no small feat. The crew is building a set for an American Indian character who sells magic blankets.

The ranch's barns have been rearranged. Road improvements had to be made to accommodate the film crew's semi trucks.

Next week, Wiens, his 16-year-old daughter and ranch hands will be featured in a scene where they're driving a herd of cattle.

"It's going to be interesting to see if Hollywood has the know-how to move cattle on cue," he said.

washingtonam@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5086