"Cedar Rapids" filming under way downtown

Anne Heche is in town for the filming of “Cedar Rapids.” She was spotted outside of Pacific Rim restaurant and entering the Grange Kitchen and Bar.

Mark Bialek for AnnArbor.com

Big-time movie filming has returned to Ann Arbor.

The sidewalk on the north side of Liberty Street between Main and Ashley is blocked off today for a film crew, and one of the storefronts in that block has been covered with black plastic sheeting.

According to Kay Seaser of the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the movie is “Cedar Rapids,” starring Ed Helms (“The Office”) and directed by Miguel Arteta (“Youth in Revolt,” which also partially filmed in Ann Arbor and is set for release in January).

As AnnArbor.com’s Paula Gardner reported recently, “Cedar Rapids” came to Ann Arbor after the state of Iowa ended its tax-credit incentive program for movie production. Michigan’s credit is among the country’s most generous.

The David Schwimmer-directed movie “Trust” is expected to start shooting in Washtenaw County in upcoming days, in both Dexter and Ann Arbor. The independent production “Mooz-lum” is also shooting in Ann Arbor this week.