Revisit last year's coverage when film crews set up shop in Ventura County

Wendy Leung | Ventura

Felecia Wellington Radel, @fdwellington

March seems a bit early for the county fair.

But on an eight-acre property in Oxnard, a carousel, spinning tea cups and a cotton candy stand are ready for business.

Not actual business, but the business of more than 100 extras on Marvel’s latest film set. Filming of “Captain Marvel” begins Friday morning at the Jim Hall Racing Club near Rice Avenue and Fifth Street.

On Tuesday, Oxnard Assistant City Manager Jesus Nava told the City Council that a film crew of 150 people with approximately 135 extras will be in town to shoot a film set in 1986 starring Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson.

Oscar winner Larson is cast as the lead superheroine in “Captain Marvel,” scheduled to be released in March 2019.

Disney-Marvel Studios via AP

This week, the racing tracks were turned into a carnival scene. Crews started setting up on Monday and will wrap up Sunday.

Jim Hall, owner of the kart racing business, said his outdoor facility now looks like a county fair from the 1980s or ’90s.

“We just rented them a facility and were told we’re a gem in the rough,” Hall said. “We’re honored for that. It will be neat to be featured.”

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Hall said he’s been observing and dispensing advice as crews prepare to film a go-cart scene. The sun is expected to make an appearance during filming on Friday for the summertime scenes. Most of the week during setup, however, the weather has been stormy.

It’s not the first time Hall has caught the eye of Hollywood with his high-performance car and kart racing business. Hall said actors Patrick Dempsey and Josh Brolin have come to race before.

COURTESY OF JIM HALL RACING CLUB

To make way for the filming, Hall closed his business for a week, informing members that they would get credit for not being able to drive on the tracks during this time.

Just two weeks ago, TV crews came to downtown Oxnard to shoot scenes of a new ABC show, “The Rookie.” The crews were there for three days setting up and filming at the Bank of A. Levy building on Fifth and A streets. According to social media reports, actors Nathan Fillion and Julie Ann Emery were in the scenes shot in Oxnard.