‘Trooper’ two-fer: Comedy franchise returns to Musketaquid for filming
As the town still reaps the benefits of previous movies, “Super Troopers 3” is part of a larger rebound that could bring more bright lights.
Acton is headed back to the silver screen thanks to the cult classic “Super Troopers” franchise.
The cast and crew for “Super Troopers 3” filmed at Musketaquid Sportsman’s Club last month.
As the town still reaps the benefits of previous movies, experts say this cop comedy is part of a larger rebound that could bring more bright lights.
“Depending on the production, it can be great exposure for the community,” town Communications Manager Donna McIntosh told The Acton Bridge last week.
The original “Super Troopers” premiered in 2001 and followed fictional Vermont state troopers through a feud with the local police department.
The cast — starring Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske — reconvened for a sequel released in 2018 and started production on a third installment in late August.
‘Very secretive’
McIntosh said the cast and crew came to Acton for “a few days.” Staffers set up a basecamp at the Valley Sports ice skating complex and served lunches in a tent at Marshall Farm.
Producers used some of the same locations for “Super Troopers 2” in 2016.
The town coordinates with companies on everything from police details to pyrotechnics. In this case, McIntosh said, “They didn’t really need too much from us.”
Jackie Marshall — part of the Marshall Farm family — said crews were “very secretive,” shuttling people to and from the catering tent in vans with tinted windows.
She wasn’t familiar with the “Super Troopers” series but was curious about the bustle. “Now, I have to watch it, because it was literally filmed down the street,” she said.
Scott Vanderhoof of Vanderhoof’s Hardware, a member at Musketaquid, said club leadership told him and his fellow members to stay off the property during filming.
The “Super Troopers” team hasn’t announced a release date for the picture.
Spokespersons for Searchlight Pictures didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Star-studded history
The Massachusetts Film Office notes a few productions with Acton ties dating back to the 1950s film noir “Six Bridges to Cross.”
The pace picked up in the 2010s, with 14 movies and films here over the decade. “Daddy’s Home 2” brought stars including Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in 2017. “Little Women” won critical acclaim after filming at several Acton spots in 2018.
“Isle Child,” an independent film by Acton-Carlisle High School graduate Thomas Percey Kim, wrapped its local production in July 2023. The SAG-AFTRA union went on strike just days after “Isle Child” wrapped, joining the Writers Guild of America and effectively pausing most U.S. productions.
“Super Troopers 3” is the first major production to visit Acton since the strike ended.
Acton-based actor Megan Carroll was involved in the strikes. She’s back in business these days and said, “New England is doing well.”
Russ Gannon, who worked as a stand-in on “Super Troopers 2,” said he’s seen a bump in activity in the second half of 2025. “It’s getting there,” he said of the post-strike buzz.
For all the good news, Carroll and Gannon agree, a “streaming bubble” has burst, leaving some actors in the lurch.
“I just don’t think it’ll ever be the way it was prior to the strike,” Carroll said.
Actors and writers have also shared concerns about artificial intelligence. Technology is proliferating, and Carroll recently testified in support of state legislation to protect creators from unauthorized use of their likeness. One of Acton’s state representatives, Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) co-sponsored the bill.
Acton in focus
“Black Mass” (film) — 2014
“Tumbledown” (film) — 2014
“Super Troopers 2” (film) — 2016
“Ghost Light” (film) — 2017
“Daddy’s Home 2” (film) — 2017
“Castle Rock,” Season 1 (TV series) — 2018
“The Society” (TV series) — 2018
“Little Women” (film) — 2018
“Defending Jacob” (TV series) — 2019
“Castle Rock,” Season 2 (TV series) — 2019
“Revenge Prank” (TV series) — 2020
“Wound Wood” (film) — 2021
“Julia,” Season 1 (TV series) — 2021
“Road Trip Masters” (TV series)* — 2022
“Isle Child” (film) — 2023
“Super Troopers 3” (film) — 2025
Source: Massachusetts Film Office
* “Road Trip Masters” was not listed on the Massachusetts Film Office catalogue of Massachusetts production.
‘Glad it’s here’
The state film office produced a booklet in four languages promoting filming locations for “Little Women.” More than five years after it premiered, McIntosh said, tourists are still interested in sites from the movie.
McIntosh recently secured a film office designation as Acton’s film liaison, helping her work with future productions.
For its part, the film office has promoted the shuttered MCI-Acton prison on its website as one of three “featured locations” in Massachusetts. The prison is available for filming, officials say.
Carroll hopes legislators advance AI protections. She separately auditioned for day-player roles in “Super Troopers 3.” Though she didn’t get a gig, Carroll said major shoots are still fun.
“If I’m in it or not, I’m just glad that it’s here,” she said. “It’s just nice to have these big-budget movies come through.”
