Filming of Dakota Johnson movie underway at Pittsburgh Mills

Production of a movie is underway at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer.

Ernest Diaz, the mall’s general manager, said spaces throughout the mall have been leased for use in the production of “Cha Cha Real Smooth.”

It stars Dakota Johnson. It’s directed by Cooper Raiff, who is also a cast member.

Johnson is known for her roles in “The Social Network” the “Fifty Shades of Grey” films.

The film’s cast also includes Leslie Mann, Odeya Rush, Brad Garrett, Raul Castillo, Evan Assante, Colton Osorio and Vanessa Burghardt.

In addition to using many of the mall’s empty spaces, Diaz said the movie’s production company has negotiated leases with tenants to shoot within their spaces.

Production started Thursday, according to Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office.

“All of our fingers are crossed that the weather starts cooperating a little bit more,” she said.

According to the Internet Movie Database, the movie focuses on a young man who works as a bar mitzvah party host, who strikes up a friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter. It’s being produced by TeaTime Pictures.

In July, Nancy Mosser Casting was looking for extras, children and adults, to portray bar and bat mitzvah guests in the film. Those interested were required to be available between Thursday and Sept. 11.

Earlier this week, the casting company was looking to fill roles for filming in the Tarentum area on Aug. 20. According to a post on its Facebook page, the casting agency was looking for someone to portray a bartender and club-goers.

“They need lots of extras because there are a lot of event scenes,” Keezer said, adding that’s what the mall is being used for.

“They need big spaces for a lot of these events,” she said.

Two other productions, “A League of their Own” and “Sprung,” also are filming in the Pittsburgh area.

Showtime’s “American Rust” was filming in the area earlier this year.