New Film By the Gun Uses Boston as Backdrop

Leighton Meester and Ben Barnes in By the Gun.

Another Boston-based movie is scheduled to hit the big screens before the end of the year.

Previous titled God Only Knows, By the Gun is a crime flick set to open in theaters December 5. The movie centers around protagonist Nick Tortano, an Italian-American in Boston trying to make his way through life, love, and oh—the mafia. It’s your classic “mob guy’s moving up the in the ranks, but then he meets a girl and everything changes” plot line.

The cast is led by Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Dorian Gray), who, like Tom Hardy before him, is a Brit playing a Bostonian. Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl, The Judge) plays Nick’s love interest, Ali.

The film stars a few Massachusetts natives. You might recognize Kenny Wormald from Footloose and the mock-reality show Massholes. Slaine is a well-known Boston rapper who has also previously appeared in The Town and Gone Baby Gone.

According to OnLocationVacations.com, By the Gun filmed in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, for about 15 days in late 2012.

The British actors, the 15-day filming, the tired premise… It’s hard to tell by the first trailer alone how authentic this Boston flick will feel, but oh hey look! A skyline shot…