Josh Brolin says this Atlanta area lacks 'grit' in film festival event

Hollywood actor Josh Brolin may have been drawn to Atlanta for the movie opportunities, but as his $5 million home hits the market in Sandy Springs, it appears he liked some parts of the city better than others.

Brolin joined movie fans at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta last week for a screening of his Academy award-winning movie "Weapons," which was released in August.

Following the screening, Brolin participated in a question and answer period with attendees and was asked about filming "Weapons" in Atlanta, a city he called home on-and-off for a number of years.

Here is what he said.

Brolin likes Atlanta, but 'not a lot of grit' in Sandy Springs

In a video shared on social media by a screening attendee, Brolin said it was a "major plus" when he learned the movie would be filming in Atlanta "because I didn't have to go anywhere."

He noted he has young kids, so it's important to be able to be close to them.

"It's an easy town, and what I love about Atlanta especially is it's so diverse," Brolin said. "You know, you're in Sandy Springs, we have a house in Sandy Springs, which I don't particularly like. I just don't, I'm just being honest. But downtown, like Inman Park and all that, I love. I like diversity, I like a little grit. Not a lot of grit in Sandy Springs."

The moderator then called Sandy Springs "gritless," and Brolin chuckled.

While set in a northern town like those found around Philadelphia, Cleveland and Cincinnati, "Weapons" was filmed in multiple Atlanta neighborhoods, according to The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations.

A "Trueco" gas station featured in the film was actually a BP Gas Station on Pace Street in Covington. Brocket Elementary School on Brockett Road in Tucker was used as the "Maybrook Elementary School" where a class goes missing. And, a USA Package store where the character Justine goes to buy alcohol is located on West Avenue SW in Conyers, Georgia.

Brolin's Sandy Springs home is on the market

Brolin's distaste for the northern Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs may be playing into his family's decision to sell their home, but rumors surrounding the sale suggest it is more likely a business decision as film crews move out of Georgia and movie opportunities dry up.

"Currently owned by a prominent actor, this gated oasis has long served as a discreet retreat for some of the industry's most recognizable stars while filming in the area, offering a level of seclusion and style that is truly unparalleled," according to the home's listing.

The seven-bed, eight-bath home and guest house on a 1.5-acre lot on Long Island Drive are on the market for $4,999,000.

"We would not sell this property if my work didn't take us west," Brolin said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We envy anybody who gets to take advantage of this little piece of everywhere that fed us so well while we were there."

Brolin's realtor told the outlet the actor still maintains his primary home in Montecito, California, and has been renting out the Atlanta property for about two years before it hit the market.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].