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Fans of Tyler Perry’s Madea series have something to celebrate, especially if their favorite character was the outspoken and often rude Joe, Madea’s brother. The character is stepping into the spotlight with his own spin-off film, Joe’s College Road Trip, which has just become available for streaming on Netflix.
In true Tyler Perry fashion, Joe’s College Road Trip follows the familiar formula of being written, directed, produced, and starring Perry himself. This marks the 14th installment in the beloved Madea franchise. This new film follows in the footsteps of last year’s Madea’s Destination Wedding, another Netflix release stemming from Perry’s partnership with the streaming giant. The franchise, which has been entertaining audiences since its debut with Diary of a Mad Black Woman in 2005, takes a new turn with Joe’s College Road Trip as it ventures into R-rated territory, promising a bolder narrative as hinted by its red band trailer.
The film’s storyline centers on Joe, portrayed by Perry, who embarks on a cross-country adventure with his grandson BJ, played by Jermaine Harris. As they visit various colleges, Joe aims to impart life lessons to BJ. While Perry usually films at his Atlanta studio, this road trip movie takes the cast and crew across different locations, adding authenticity and richness to the story.
Where was Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip filmed?
The production of Joe’s College Road Trip took place in New Mexico, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Specifically, the filming in New Mexico occurred around Las Cruces during January and February 2024. Local state senator Jeff Steinborn expressed his enthusiasm in a statement to the Las Cruces Sun News, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Tyler Perry and ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ to Las Cruces. As one of America’s most prolific directors, we’re excited to be able to offer our great outdoor locations and warm winter filming climate to this prestigious film production.”
In New Mexico, the production filmed in January and February 2024 around Las Cruces, a city near the border in southern New Mexico. In a statement shared with the Las Cruces Sun News, local state senator Jeff Steinborn wrote, ““We are thrilled to welcome Tyler Perry and ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ to Las Cruces. As one of America’s most prolific directors, we’re excited to be able to offer our great outdoor locations and warm winter filming climate to this prestigious film production.”
In Tennessee, the production briefly filmed in Memphis, including a sequence on Memphis’s famed Beale Street, according a local report from the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The crew was spotted filming sequences driving up and down Beale Street in Joe’s red convertible. They also filmed a scene outside the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis, on Mulberry Street.
“Any time we can showcase Beale and Downtown Memphis in a positive light in the national spotlight, we’re going to do so,” Jon Shivers, director of Beale Street for the Downtown Memphis Commission, told the Appeal. According to Shivers, the street was not closed down for the filming.
In Mississippi, Joe’s College Road Trip filmed scenes in Clarksdale, a city in northern Mississippi that is just south of Memphis. In January 2024, the Clarksdale Police Department posted photos on Facebook with Perry and his cast and crew.
“Thanks to Mayor Chuck Espy for arranging a meet and greet with Mr. Tyler Perry,” the CPD wrote in the Facebook post. “Tyler Perry Studios chose Clarksdale, MS to shoot scenes for his upcoming movie, Joe’s College Road Trip. Thank you Mr. Perry for choosing Clarksdale!!”
It seems likely that some of the interiors for Joe’s College Road Trip were filmed at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
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