ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The baccarat pit at Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino became a movie set as director Steven Soderbergh, heartthrob George Clooney and dozens of behind-the-scenes workers began filming "Ocean's 11," a big-budget remake of the 1960 Rat Pack movie.
Blackjack tables went quiet, giant lighting standards were erected and $75-a-day extras waited for their moments of glory Tuesday as Soderbergh, who was nominated as best director Tuesday for "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic," filmed a scene in which Danny Ocean (Clooney) sat at a table talking to dealer Frank (comedian Bernie Mac).
Curious fans, kept at bay behind black rope, strained for a glimpse of Clooney, who wore a beige houndstooth blazer and maroon dress shirt, open at the collar.
"There he is! There he is, right there!" squealed 44-year-old Donna Culp. "He's just as handsome as I thought. He's gorgeous."
"Control yourself," said Joe Strucich, 67, who was standing behind her.
Clooney plays an ex-con who recruits 10 old friends to help him with a casino heist. It also stars Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle and Elliott Gould.
But Clooney is the only star in Atlantic City for two days of location shoots at Trump Plaza, Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino and the White House Sub Shop.
A couple of blocks down Mississippi Avenue, at the sandwich shop, the waitresses and customers were all abuzz about Wednesday's filming there.
Since it was closed for the shoot, the filmmakers are compensating the sub shop for the lost business. The shop typically sells 6,000 subs a day, at about $5 per sub.
"We're very excited," said Phil LaRocca, a 46-year employee and the shop's unofficial spokesman. "We haven't had a movie filmed here since 1979."
That was "Atlantic City," starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon.