An untitled Pharrell Williams feature film from Universal Pictures will film throughout Central and Coastal Virginia this spring and summer, according to Virginia’s governor’s office.

The coming-of-age musical is set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Mr. Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is set to star, with Michel Gondry directing the project based on a script by Martin Hynes “Toy Story 4,” “The Magician’s Elephant” and Steven Levenson’s “Tick, Tick…Boom!.”

Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am OTHER, and Gil Netter (“Just Mercy,” “The Blind Side”) will produce through Gil Netter Productions.

“This high-profile project will place a global spotlight on Virginia as both an incomparable place to visit and as a preferred destination for investment from this growing industry,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “The project will provide high-wage jobs, help retain our trained production workforce, and deliver an immediate economic impact shared across a variety of sectors, from construction to hospitality. We warmly welcome Pharrell and the team behind this groundbreaking project to Virginia.”

“Tourism is a $30 billion per year industry in Virginia, and with this project, we are not only building our competitiveness in a high-growth sector, but we are also putting Virginia in a starring role in a feature-length, visual love letter to the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.

“Pharrell is more than a globally recognized artist; he is an inspirational person. Pharrell germinates and nurtures ideas, and then delivers results that have a positive impact on people’s lives. With this project, he is creating a celebration of art, dreams, community and his Virginia home that will be shared for years to come,” said Andy Edmunds, director of the Virginia Film Office. “It’s an opportunity that is unparalleled for both our production industry and our powerful tourism sector alike.”

This project marks another major production choosing Virginia, following recently filmed projects including seasons one and two of the Apple TV+ series “Swagger,” filmed in Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, and the critically acclaimed series “Dopesick,” filmed in Central Virginia and Clifton Forge.

The film will be eligible to receive a Virginia film tax credit or grant. The exact amount will be based on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and deliverables including Virginia tourism promotions.