More details have emerged about the filming that is occurring near Canmore.
According to reports, there is a possibility that the hit HBO series, The Last of Us, may be back in the province filming scenes for the second season. Reports suggest that the show's second season has been code-named Mega Sword, and although no officials have confirmed that Mega Sword or The Last of Us is filming in the province, there is speculation that that is precisely what is being filmed near Canmore.
The speculation has been fueled further when one of the series stars was spotted at a Calgary Flames game earlier this week. Gabriel Luna, who stars opposite Pedro Pascal (Joel) and plays his brother, Tommy in the series, shared a video of himself at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday.
"Back in Alberta! Thanks to the @nhlflames for hosting me. Missed y’all, Calgary! @thelastofus #season2 #hockey #goflamesgo 🔥🔥🔥" Luna wrote in his Instagram caption.
Initially, Alberta Parks officials stated that the Grotto Mountain Day Use Area, Grotto Pond and Grotto Creek Canyon Trail, near Exshaw, would be shut down due to active film production in the area, lasting till Sunday. But since then, the Municipal District of Bighorn has posted more details.
According to the district's website, filming is taking place in the Municipal District of Bighorn until next week, Thursday, March 28.
"...this includes road closures [until] Sunday, March 24. The filming will have an impact on traffic and parking on Mount Allen Drive in Exshaw and the 1A Highway west of Exshaw between the Lafarge Plant Entrance to Grotto Canyon Trailhead. Affected businesses and residents will be notified in writing," the district stated.
The Municipal District of Bighorn has given more details about the planned filming in the area. (Graphic credit to Municipal District of Bighorn)The district added that it issued a Special Event Permit within conditions for this filming production on Mount Allen Drive in Exshaw only, as it does not have any jurisdiction regarding the closure of the 1A Highway.
"The natural beauty of our environment is part of what makes the MD such a special place to live, work, and play. The MD is proud to be considered for such an opportunity."
A 72-hour road closure which began yesterday will last till Saturday. The district underlined that the road closures of Highway 1A have been approved by the Government of Alberta.
There are road closures already in place for filming in and around Canmore. (Graphic Credit to District of Bighorn)"Traffic to and from Canmore will be rerouted via the 1X Highway to and from the TransCanada Highway."
There is also a no parking and road closure lasting till Sunday on Mount Allen Drive. Traffic will be rerouted behind the Exshaw Fire Hall along Yamnuska Drive.
"No parking other than fire personnel will be permitted behind the Fire Hall and this alley will be limited to single-lane traffic behind the Fire Hall. During filming, traffic patrols will be present and intermittent delays can be expected."
The district underlined that due to the large amount of snow which are required for the television filming scene, the filming crew has asked for the road closure on Mount Allen Drive to be moved to Wednesday, though it was initially slated to begin today.
"The filming crew will do their best to wrap up filming sooner than Sunday to alleviate any additional inconvenience caused by the extended road closure to the community of Exshaw."
Diamond Drive will also be impacted as, 'crew vehicles for the filming production will be parking on MD of Bighorn land adjacent to the Bow River for the duration of this event [until] Thursday, March 28, inclusive.'
"Emergency services will have clear access and egress from the Exshaw Fire Hall and will not be interrupted during the road closure period. Emergency services shall be able to pass through any road closure on the 1A Highway in the event of an emergency."
The first season of The Last of Us was filmed in the vicinity of Airdrie, making use of over 180 locations in Alberta for the first season.
According to Oxford Economics, the production expenditure for the first season of The Last of Us generated a significant contribution of over $182 million to Alberta's GDP from 2021-2022.
Premiering on January 15, 2023, the show, adapted from the 2013 video game, attracted an audience of nearly 5 million viewers. The season one finale of the show saw 8.2 million viewers tune in. The second season of the series is slated to be predominantly filmed in British Columbia.
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Fri, Apr 26, 4:30 PM
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