MONROE — Monroe will be getting a little glimpse of Hollywood this week as movie crews film a courtroom drama due out next fall.

Actor Matthew Modine, who appeared in “Transporter 2” and “Full Metal Jacket,” is acting in “The Trial,” based on the novel by Charlotte lawyer Robert Whitlow.

The movie, which is budgeted for less than $10 million, follows a man who becomes reclusive after losing his family in a tragic accident. But when a capital murder trial is almost moved out of town, he takes on the case, which ultimately forces him to deal with his issues.

Location manager Jason King said Monroe is an ideal location for the film because of its density and variety of locations.

“It’s the perfect mid-size middle America town with its Main Street, its courthouse and you go outside of that and there’s great farmland, beautiful little churches,” he said.

Within an area of a few blocks, the movie will shoot in several locations: Mucci’s Italian Bistro, the courthouse, the Allen Overall building and an office by Blu Moon Café.

Other stars of the film include Robert Forster (“Jackie Brown,” “Mulholland Drive,” “Me, Myself and Irene”) and Rance Howard (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”).

King said the helpfulness of city staff also makes Monroe attractive to filmmakers.

“They understand the value of having a new business in town and the excitement it creates,” he said. “They’re a film-friendly city, and they make the process easy.”

King said he had to write a proposal to the city about all the things the film crew would require. The police and fire departments had to address whether the filming would affect their public duties, and location owners had to submit letters of permission for the crew to use their spaces.

The film crew was filming at a nearby office space on Franklin Street Thursday.

“I’ve totally been … telling everybody to come out and have lunch here and see a movie star,” said Sarah French, Blu Moon Café owner.

City spokesman Pete Hovanec said the city doesn’t receive any money for the filming.

“We just get the residuals: the publicity, crews they bring in will eat at our restaurants and stay at our hotels,” he said. “Local businesses will benefit.”

Residents might even get to become a part of the story, as the crew is still looking for extras.

Filming will last through this week and next week. For information on becoming an extra in the movie, e-mail Thetrialextras@gmail.com.