20th Century Fox Jim Carrey, whose most recent film, 'Horton Hears a Who,' is currently in theaters, is headed for New Orleans for his next project, 'I Love You Phillip Morris.'

Two of them, in fact, both A-listers: Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, who are set to come to town next month to shoot the dramatic comedy "I Love You Phillip Morris, " scheduled to film May 5 to June 30.

It's the latest in an impressive string of films that Jennifer Day, the director of the city-run Office of Film and Video, says is already an unprecedented run for the Crescent City.

"Right now we've got five films currently in production, " Day said. "And we've got four more gearing up."

So exactly how good are things? According to the latest figures from the Governor's Office of Film and Television Development, the statewide film industry is on pace to best last year's record, which saw 53 productions rolling, most of them in the New Orleans and Shreveport areas.

And there are some impressive names in the mix to boot.

There's Universal's "Cirque du Freak, " perhaps the highest-profile ongoing local production, based on the children's literature series and starring Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly. It's shooting through June. There's "The Patriots, " starring Forest Whitaker, set to shoot through June 1. There's the action flick "12 Rounds, " directed by Renny Harlin, rolling through the end of April.

ROLLING . . .

A look at local film productions in town or preparing to come

Now shooting:

• "12 Rounds" World Wrestling Entertainment action-drama in production through May 12. Starring John Cena and Ashley Scott, directed by Renny Harlin.

• "Cirque du Freak" Universal Pictures fantasy-adventure in production through June. Starring Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly, directed by Paul Weitz.

• "Final Destination 4: 3-D" Indie horror-thriller in production through May 29.

• "The Patriots" Weinstein Co. drama about the John Ehret High School basketball team's post-Katrina odyssey, in production through June 1. Starring Forest Whitaker.

• "Robosapien" Indie fantasy-adventure in production through April 25.

Recently wrapped

• "Librarian 3: The Curse of the Judas Chalice" TNT action-adventure movie, completed shooting March 31. Noah Wyle and Bob Newhart star.

• "Open Road" The indie drama, which shot in Baton Rouge and Hammond, wrapped March 26. Justin Timberlake and Jeff Bridges star.

Coming soon

• "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys Together" The New Orleans native's latest dramatic comedy will be in town for a one-day shoot Monday.

• "Mardi Gras" Indie comedy shoots April 28 to June 18. Carmen Electra stars.

• "I Love You Phillip Morris" Indie drama shoots May 5 to June 30. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor star.

• "Chess" Indie music-oriented drama shoots April 7 to May 16.