ANOTHER big-budget production featuring a major Hollywood star is set to descend on Yorkshire this month.

The Hunter's Prayer starts filming in locations across the county - including Helmsley, Harrogate, Scarborough, Leeds and Saltaire - before moving to Hungary, with many of the Yorkshire locations standing in for other European and international towns and cities.

The cast is led by Avatar star Sam Worthington, who also appeared alongside Christian Bale in Terminator: Salvation and was shortlisted for the role of James Bond before losing out to Daniel Craig.

He stars as a hitman hired to kill a teenage girl in the film, directed by Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and U571 director Jonathan Mostow, and Worthington's character develops a bond with his target. The two go on the run across Europe in a race for survival.

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."

Filming of the $25m movie, which is based on Kevin Wignall's novel For The Dogs and part funded by Screen Yorkshire, started yesterday and comes as the cast and crew of the big-screen Dad's Army film continue their filming in Bridlington and other locations around North Yorkshire.

Hugo Heppell is head of investments at Screen Yorkshire and an executive producer on the film, and said: "This has been a stand-out year for Yorkshire, and bringing Hunter’s Prayer to the screen caps it off.

"We are thrilled not only to be investing in this film, but that it also shows that Yorkshire can confidently host major international productions thanks not least to its unparalleled range of locations."

The Hunter's Prayer is due out next year.