Santa Fe and other New Mexico towns will stand in for Wyoming next month for the filming of a movie about an estranged couple from New York City in a witness-protection program.

Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) and Hugh Grant (Bridget Jones's Diary) star in the production under the working title Did You Hear About the Morgans? — previously called Buffalo Faith.

Sam Elliott (We Were Soldiers) and Mary Steenburgen (Casa de los babys) co-star in the romantic comedy directed by Marc Lawrence (Miss Congeniality) who wrote the screenplay.

More than 75 New Mexicans are expected to be hired as crew, plus another 1,000 as extras or "background talent."

An announcement for Sunday's casting call at The Lodge at Santa Fe said cowboys and cowgirls are sought. Would-be extras should wear Western clothes, cowboy hats and boots. Bring a color photograph of yourself if you have one. If not, photos will be taken Sunday.

Shooting already began in New York City where Parker and her husband, Matthew Broderick, took time off last month for a Broadway tribute to their friend Natasha Richardson, who died after a fall while skiing in Canada.

New Mexico shooting tentatively is set for May 5 through June 5 — May 18-29 in Santa Fe, Galisteo, Pecos and Los Alamos and June 1-5 in Roy. This is the first time in memory a movie has been shot in Roy.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, this will be the 20th feature film or major television show filmed in New Mexico since July 1. At least three more are expected to be announced in coming weeks.

Among those already under way are The Book of Eli in Carrizozo; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in Alamogordo; and The Spy Next Door in Albuquerque.

A spokeswoman for the Film Office said the producers did not apply for state loans for Did You Hear About the Morgans? because only about half the film will be shot in-state. At least 85 percent must be in-state to qualify for state financing. The spokeswoman said she could not release how much is expected to be spent in New Mexico for the film.

The theatrical release of the film by Sony/Columbia Pictures is expected in mid-December.

Contact Tom Sharpe at 986-3080 or tsharpe@sfnewmexican.com.

GET INVOLVED

What: Casting call for Did You Hear About the Morgans?

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Lodge at Santa Fe, 750 N. St. Francis Drive

Who: Western-dressed cowboys and cowgirls

Pay: $9.50/hour with overtime after 8 hours a day

More information: www.FilmSavage.com