Entertainment

Steve Martin. Jack Black. Owen Wilson.

Three of Hollywood's biggest comedy stars will be spending part of their summer in the Okanagan, filming a comedy in Osoyoos based on best-selling novel 'The Big Year.'

Jon Summerland of the Okanagan Film Commission has been fairly tight-lipped about the project, saying it was the mayor of Osoyoos, Stu Wells, who spilled the beans about two weeks ago.

"He was excited," laughs Summerland.

Summerland says more details will be released later this week after the film's publicity staff send out a release, but did give Castanet a few tidbits.

The stars will be filming in the area in June for at least a week, and possibly two.

"They're still scouting (locations), so we won't know that until everything's been secured," says Summerland.

Filming will take place in various regions in B.C., and also possibly the Yukon.

The movie is being directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) and reportedly has a budget of around $80 million, although Summerland says he expects it's actually higher than that.

Summerland says it's difficult to gage exactly the economic impact a big-budget movie will have on the area.

"Everyone will see a piece. We spent $10,000 just in the scouting alone. They've blocked off an entire hotel, I won't tell you which one, and there will be 190 crew there, all with $60 a day to spend on booze and food."

"I would estimate, maybe $190,000 to $200,000 a day will be left here," says Summerland, adding sets will need to be built on location and local crew members will find some work.

Osoyoos was recently the location for 'Gunless,' Paul Gross' latest comedy about an American gunslinger who finds himself stranded in an Alberta desert town. The movie opened up Friday across Canada.

"Tell everyone in the Okanagan to go see 'Gunless,'" says Summerland. "If it's successful, they're talking about turning it into a TV show - which would be shot here."