He might not be the biggest star in \u201cBad Man.\u201d <\/a> But Smith Lake Jake<\/a> is definitely the furriest. <\/p>\n The beloved Alabama critter<\/a>, known for his weather predictions on Groundhog Day<\/a>, can be seen in the new action movie alongside Seann William Scott<\/a> of \u201cAmerican Pie\u201d fame. <\/p>\n \u201cBad Man\u201d was released to video and streaming services on Sept. 5, after a world premiere<\/a> at the 2025 Sidewalk Film Festival<\/a> in Birmingham. <\/p>\n Smith Lake Jake pops up in a scene about 15 minutes into the film, wearing a houndstooth hat and holding his own with actors Scott<\/a>, Johnny Simmons<\/a> and Chance Perdomo<\/a>. <\/p>\n The groundhog plays \u201cColt Lake Jake\u201d in the movie, which was filmed in Alabama in December 2023 and January 2024. <\/p>\n Locations in the greater Birmingham area included Helena<\/a>, Adamsville and Graysville, all standing in for the fictional town of Colt Lake, Tenneseee. (Graysville is Smith Lake Jake\u2019s hometown, where he lives with human companion Ginger Whitworth<\/a>.) <\/p>\n Jake\u2019s fans in Alabama might not be surprised to see a charismatic groundhog dominate the screen for a few seconds in a feature film. For other viewers, though, his presence might be a revelation.<\/p>\n Jake actually does very little in the movie, sitting on a tufted chair and growling slightly at one point. But he makes an indelible impression nevertheless. <\/p>\n \u201cThat is someone in whose presence you are unworthy to be,\u201d an unidentified actor tells Scott\u2019s character, a loose-cannon cop named Bobby Gaines. \u201cThat is Colt Lake Jake. He is a local celebrity, and you will respect him.\u201d <\/p>\n This might lead you to believe Jake plays an important role in the storyline, popping up again during a key moment in the film. Alas, the groundhog disappears from the action after that one scene, never to be seen again. <\/p>\n \u201cBad Man\u201d actually is a buddy movie focusing on characters played by Scott and Simmons, with an assist from Perdomo. <\/p>\n Scott portrays a volatile lawman who arrives in Colt Lake, ready to solve a crime and stir up trouble. His character, Gaines, is investigating a murder in the small Southern town, which is plagued by meth dealers and its own Dixie Mafia.<\/p>\n Gaines immediately butts heads with a strait-laced local deputy, Sam Evans (Montgomery native Simmons), and his cheerfully bumbling sidekick, D.J. (Perdomo). <\/p>\n Perdomo<\/a>, known for his work in the Amazon series \u201cGen V,\u201d died in March<\/a> 2024 at age 27 after a motorcycle accident<\/a>. \u201cBad Man\u201d is said to be his final film.<\/p>\n Despite their differences in \u201cBad Man,\u201d the three cops join forces for an investigation into the murder, and that\u2019s how they encounter Jake. The critter lives with a Colt Lake resident who provides crucial intel early in the case, and Jake was definitely ready for his closeup. <\/p>\n The cast also includes Rob Riggle<\/a> of \u201cThe Hangover\u201d and \u201c21 Jump Street\u201d and Marcelle LeBlanc<\/a>, an actress from Birmingham <\/a>who starred in the 2022 TV movie \u201cA Waltons Thanksgiving.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cBad Man,\u201d an action\/comedy, was directed and co-written by Michael Dilberti<\/a>. Currently, the movie has a 96% positive score on the Popcornmeter for Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>, with more than 100 ratings from audience members. <\/p>\n Watch the trailer for \u201cBad Man\u201d in the video below. The movie is available on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and other streaming services. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Bad](\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/resizer\/v2\/H6GZCJJ5JFGDNK7C6I5FK6FU5I.jpg?auth=bf9a91d391670b1b406a5718f89ab20235cf7f3b322f332b55b00e70b358132e&width=1280&smart=true&quality=90\"\/)
“Bad Man,” a movie starring Seann William Scott, was filmed in the greater Birmingham area. Scott, right, posed for a photo with Helena Mayor Brian Puckett on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. (Courtesy of Brian Puckett)Brian Puckett<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n![\"Smith](\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/resizer\/v2\/RB2ZOPWXWVE2PMTH54FYPKCDNY.jpeg?auth=3e7a7e9ca1569fdaf9dab6c467b0e9e5ffb30a56da9ef7430de78b09f88a1fbc&width=1280&smart=true&quality=90\"\/)
Groundhog Smith Lake Jake makes an appearance in “Bad Man,” a new action movie starring Seann William Scott and Johnny Simmons. The film, released in September 2025, was filmed in Alabama in the greater Birmingham area.(Screenshot from “Bad Man”)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n