The makers of the new action flick 47 Ronin didn't want to film their movie in Oregon. But that doesn't mean the state won't have a starring role.
The trees and shrubs on set aren't the box-office draw -- that's probably Keanu Reeves. But the greenery is the star of the show to some Oregon nursery owners. Producers spent thousands on Oregon-grown maples, pines, ferns and other plants. It was an attempt to recreate the look of 18th-century Japan.
Theresa Yoshioka, from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, says nursery owners are hoping for some repeat business from movie-makers.
"I think it's a great statement that Hollywood is looking to Oregon for some of these plants," she says.
Yoshioka says even in the age of computer-generated effects, you just can't beat an honest-to-goodness living plant for authenticity.
Copyright 2013 Northwest News Network
