Released in January 2007, Smokin’ Aces is a crime film written and directed by Joe Carnahan. Starring Jeremy Piven as a Las Vegas magician who agrees to testify against the mob and Ryan Reynolds as an FBI agent assigned to protect Piven’s character, the film also featured the movie debuts of Alicia Keys and Common (source). Other stars in the film include: Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Andy García, Ray Liotta, Chris Pine, and Matthew Fox.
Watch the official trailer below:
“Smokin’ Aces Official Trailer #1 – Ray Liotta, Ryan Reynolds Movie (2006) HD” by Movieclips Trailer Vault
Nevada Filming Locations
Carnahan grew up near Lake Tahoe and decided to write a script specifically for Lake Tahoe because of its beauty (source). Carnahan was also very familiar with the Horizon Casino Resort (now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe) and Caesars Tahoe (now the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa), and he included some very action-packed scenes at both Stateline, NV locations in his film.
Approximately 150 extras were cast for the film, many of them from South Shore, and although exact numbers have not been released, the production was expected to contribute more than $35,000 a day into the local economy (source).
With the help of locals in Stateline and Lake Tahoe as well as Nevada Highway Patrol and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, the production was able to capture some very exciting scenes in Nevada. Filming included “aerial shots, car chases, gunshots and SFX windows blowing out 100 feet above the street” at Caesars Tahoe and Horizon (source). Everything went smoothly and the film’s publicist Louise Spencer noted that everyone in Stateline and Lake Tahoe were very helpful (source).
For more information about the filming of Smokin’ Aces, you can read the following articles: