Paris bans filming of action movies in wake of Charlie Hebdo attacks

Police officials fear police chases and "action scenes" could cause confusion for the public

A policeman stand guard in front of the Elysee Palace as part of the highest level of 'Vigipirate' security plan in Paris, January 8, 2015, the day after a shooting at the Paris offices of weekly satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo (Reuters)

Restrictions have been placed on filming action movies in Paris following the recent terrorist attacks.

Police officials have revealed fears that “actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists” in the wake of the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo which left 20 dead including three gunmen.

The French capital has long been a favourite for filmmakers. But police chase scenes through the city, such as the one outside the Louvre featured in Luc Besson’s Lucy, could now be a thing of the past.

Scarlett Johansson in Lucy

"There's a problem with these action-type scenes, as the actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists,” Sylvie Barnaud, the police official who grants outside filming permission in Paris, told The Associated Press.

“Also, the actors could pose confusion for the general public - during this highly sensitive period.”

Scenes featuring religious sites or schools are also banned under the emergency security plans.

Several productions have already been disrupted, including one called Flics Tout Simplement, which translates as “Simply Cops”, which was supposed to include a scene with police outside a school.

"Yes, we were meant to film this scene. But it wasn't allowed. Of course, we have to respect the new rules, and we changed the production plan," said film director Stephan Guillemet.

Sylvie Barnaud said she did not know how long the restrictions would be in place.

William Trillaud, set fixer for the movie Lucy which stars Scarlett Johansson, said: "Had Luc Besson wanted to film this now, it would be impossible."

Action movies filmed partly in Paris include the Bourne Identity, Taken, The Edge of Tomorrow starring Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise, Ronin and the Da Vinci Code.