Actor Rockmond Dunbar, known for his role on FOX's Prison Break, enjoys being in Chicago so much that he is planning on bringing his next film project in the Illinois city next year.

The film, Black Flag, is an action comedy about an African-American NASCAR driver.  The 39-year-old actor wants to film the racing scenes at Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway, which hosts such races as the NASCAR/ Nextel Cup Series, USG Sheetrock 400, NASCAR/ Busch Series and USG Durock 300 once a year.  Joliet is also the home of Joliet Prison, where majority of Prison Break's debut season was filmed.

Unfortunately for Dunbar, production was relocated to Dallas, Texas for the show's second season.

"I tried to get Prison Break to stay," Rockmond Dunbar told Armour & Co. before throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game two weeks ago.  "I talked to the aldermen [in Chicago] and tried to get even more of a tax break [for filming]."

For the show's first two seasons, Dunbar played Benjamin Miles “C-Note” Franklin, a U.S. Army First Sergeant who was dishonorably discharged after he refused to keep quiet about the illegal torture of several detainees.  Unable to find a suitable job to support his family, C-Note resorted to earning money through criminal means.  He was eventually arrested and incarcerated at Fox River State Penitentiary.

Rockmond Dunbar's character was among the eight who escaped from the penitentiary with mastermind Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller).  Towards the end of the second season, C-Note and his family were placed under the Witness Protection Program after he agreed to testify against Agent Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner).  It is not yet known whether or not Dunbar will reprise his role on the third season of Prison Break, which is scheduled to begin airing this fall.

Aside from wanting to shoot his next film in Chicago, Dunbar is also having a place built in Bronzeville, a neighborhood situated in the Douglas and Grand Boulevard community areas on the southern part of Chicago.  Dunbar told the Chicago Tribune that the new house will serve as his summer home.

"I have to be very clear and very honest," Rockmond Dunbar said.  "The summers here are incredible; spring and fall are great.  But when you get to the winter, I won't be here.  I'm still keeping my house in L.A."


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Chicago Tribune
(Image Courtesy of Yahoo)