Little Eagle Enjoys Minute of Fame as Film Spot for 'The Minuteman'
He seemed shy — reserved and quiet. It was a brief encounter — maybe 30 seconds. And I got close to him a couple of times. – John Krizman
On Sept. 24, John Krizman had the pleasure of shaking the hand of actor Liam Neeson during a pause in the filming of a scene for the movie “The Minuteman” in Chardon Township.
“He seemed shy — reserved and quiet,” said Krizman, owner of Little Eagle Drive-Through Beverage at the corner of Auburn Road and state Route 6. “It was a brief encounter — maybe 30 seconds. And I got close to him a couple of times.”
Neeson, 67, who was born in Northern Ireland, is an award-winning actor known for his roles in several films, including “Schindler’s List,” “Nell,” “Les Miserables,” “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” “Love Actually” and the “Taken” films.
For about five hours, Krizman enjoyed the company of cameramen, technicians, actors and directors.
His small store was still buzzing Wednesday morning as people came in to talk about the event Krizman had kept quiet at the request of the filming company.
“They didn’t want a big circus,” he said, adding, however, word apparently got around because the flow of cars along the road was especially high Wednesday afternoon.
“There was an unusual amount of traffic,” he said.
The momentary fame wasn’t anything Krizman had sought. A woman with the filming company came through before Labor Day and asked if he would allow a shoot at his store. They were looking for a stand-alone store for the movie, which is being shot in and around Cleveland, he said.
“The Minuteman” is about a Vietnam special-forces veteran who rescues a teenage boy in New Mexico from a drug cartel, according to online sources.
The crew descended about 2 p.m. Tuesday and started rearranging the interior of Little Eagle, removing anything that was branded or indicated the site was in Ohio, Krizman said.
“It is supposed to be in New Mexico,” he said. “They wanted something non-descript, which this is.”
Long-time friend Collin Bruce chimed in with another description of Little Eagle.
“It’s a dive,” he said, laughing.
The director replaced Krizman with an Asian shopkeeper — in an apron, no less — but allowed the owner to stay on site during the filming.
Bruce and other visitors were asked to stand across the street and to refrain from taking pictures (though a few people snuck some), while Neeson went into the store to buy supplies for the road.
Then he went outside and lowered the flag from the pole to show the teen how it should be folded, Krizman said.
That was it.
Bruce, who did get some pictures with his phone, said the film crew spent five hours for about 90 seconds of video.
He was impressed by their ability to work in the confines of Little Eagle.
“They were so efficient. It was amazing,” Bruce said. “I’ve spent most of my life in Geauga County. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Krizman was equally astonished by the brief encounter with Hollywood, and his store’s short-lived celebrity.
“For a moment, we were the center of Geauga,” he said.
