The golden hills and arid deserts of Kern County will be playing a role in a major motion picture. Film officials and community leaders aren't giving away many details like what the movie is but it seems the secret is already out on social media.
Photographs and anecdotal evidence are pointing to one possible answer, the Hangover 3.
The center of the hype is coming from the Tehachapi area as residents are posting their experiences with actors like Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms, the three stars of the first two flicks.
City officials and the Kern County Film Commission did confirm there's a movie in progress, but not much else but officials say film crews with Warner Brothers have booked up hotels for the next three weeks as they shoot.
And there's plenty of buzz these days on the streets of Tehachapi.
"My daughter insisted last night that I drive through the hotel area where they believe they are, so we looked at cars and we saw a Bentley and a few Mercedes," said Tehachapi resident Georgina, Sikora.
Almost everyone is hoping to get their own close encounter with a Hollywood A-lister.
"Yea it is, I'm going to stay around, probably go to some places and see if they're there," said Shelby Boyer of Tehachapi.
Social media sites are lighting up. From pictures, to signatures, and stories documenting even mundane encounters with celebrities.
"It's good for our town. It's fun, it's created a lot of excitement," said Sikora.
Details of the film are harder to confirm. Tehachapi city officials say production crews are keeping a tight lid on the project.
"The production company likes to keep it under wraps as much as possible. There are a lot of people who come to town with their staff and crew and so forth and they stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants," said City Manager Greg Garrett.
There are also rumors about why film crews choose Kern County for their shoot. In the past, Kern County has provided the backdrop for scenes in movies like Transformers, Fast Five, and Star Trek, according to the Kern County Film Commission.
Tehachapi officials say the area is popular for just about any find of film work.
"We've got the mountains, the deserts, oak trees, pine trees, a little water and a beautiful downtown and an awesome outer community so there's a lot to gain in coming to Tehachapi. We're like the back lot if you will," Garrett said.
For now, some residents say it doesn't matter why the crew is in town. Some say they're already planning what to do if they come face-to-face with a Hollywood superstar.
"Ask for his autograph, take a picture, we've always got our cameras," said Sikora.
"Probably hug them," Boyer said.
The Kern County Film Commission says the filming industry is a multi-million dollar industry for the county. Last year, it generated nearly $19 million and officials say this year, they're already at $12.8 million.
The Hangover 3 is expected to hit theaters in May 2013.
