FILMING has begun on a multi-million dollar movie that will see North Yorkshire stand in for a host of international locations.

Avatar star Sam Worthington will take the lead in The Hunter’s Prayer, described as a fast-paced thriller.

Scenes will be filmed in Helmsley, Harrogate and Scarborough as well as Leeds and crew and cast will also be heading to Hungary for additional filming.

At the helm is Jonathan Mostow, whose previous directorial credits include the smash hit Terminator 3 and the submarine movie U571.

Based on the novel For the Dogs by Kevin Wignall, the $25m US/UK co-production also features the talents of Odeya Rush, Martin Compston, Veronica Echegui and Amy Landecker.

Producer Chris Milburn said: “We have assembled a great cast, a great core creative team, great locations and we are excited to be starting principal photography.”

Sam Worthington plays a solitary assassin who develops a bond with the teenage girl he has been hired to kill.

The hunter then becomes the hunted as both are marked for death and stalked across Europe. Their only hope for survival is to find out why her family was wiped out and bring those responsible to justice.

The film is being part backed by Screen Yorkshire through its Yorkshire Content Fund, a European-financed initiative to attract film-makers to the area.

*Filming is also currently underway in North Yorkshire on the star-studded remake of TV’s Dad’s Army.