May 28, 2026 | Filed under: News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Feature film ‘Barracuda’ employs more than 700 New Mexicans
Anthony Mackie-led production wraps filming in southern New Mexico
LAS CRUCES - The action thriller “Barracuda,” starring Anthony Mackie recently wrapped
filming in Las Cruces — employing more than 700 New Mexicans as crew, cast and background
performers.
"Barracuda,” directed by Neil Burger and produced by Robert Zemeckis, Kia Jam, Todd
Lundbohm and Arianne Fraser, filmed for nearly two months across locations in and around Las
Cruces. The film employed approximately 80 New Mexico crew members, 29 New Mexico
resident principal cast members and more than 600 background performers.
“Productions like ‘Barracuda’ demonstrate New Mexico’s ability to support large-scale projects
across the state,” said Steve Graham, director of the New Mexico Film Office. “This project is
creating jobs while bringing meaningful production activity to southern New Mexico.”
The film follows a former wheelman pulled back into the criminal world to rescue an abducted
woman, leading to a high-stakes pursuit toward the U.S. border. The film explores themes of
loyalty, survival and redemption set against the stark desert landscapes of southern New Mexico.
“ ‘Barracuda’ is the perfect production to show off everything Las Cruces has to offer,” said State
Senator Jeff Steinborn, president of Film Las Cruces. “From diverse locations to our amazing
crew and strong incentives, we are proud to help make productions like this a reality.”
Film and television production supports thousands of jobs and has generated more than $3 billion
in direct economic impact over the past five years in New Mexico.