THE "brutal" architecture of Croydon College has been chosen as the unlikely location for a new Hollywood blockbuster starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman and Ryan Reynolds.
Over the next few months the college building will be temporarily transformed into the backdrop for multi-million pound thriller movie, Criminal.
Other parts of the college also being used are the library, foyer and science labs masquerading as a hideout, helicopter launching pad, medical research labs and a CIA operations centre.
Frances Wadsworth, the college's principal and chief executive, said: "The Barclay Road campus was chosen for its location and setting, and I think, its iconic 'brutal' architecture.
"It's a well known and recognisable part of the Croydon landscape and I'm delighted that it will be preserved via film, for the world to see.
"It's a little ironic, too because we use Barclay Road annexe as our film and media space."
Ms Wadsworth added: "It's an almost unbelievable opportunity; we have worked very closely with Criminal's production company to ensure that our students have every opportunity to get involved, and to learn from these seasoned professionals."
The chance to get involved with drama, make-up, construction, catering, costume and staging roles, as well as project management and health and safety were, she said, the sorts of employability experiences which did not present themselves very often.
She said: "It's a fabulous opportunity for Croydon, Croydon College and our students to make their own impression on Hollywood and the international movie-going public."
Filming will start at the end of this month and will conclude in November.
