Corner Gas celebrities converge in Saskatchewan

REGINA – They’re not your typical tourists, but this week some familiar faces from the fictional town of Dog River are spending some time in Regina.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve already been back to O’Hanlon’s for a pizza and a beer. I’ve been to Tor Hill… Turner Valley and we’re like four days in,” said Fred Ewanuick, who plays Hank Yarbo. “The Freehouse… La Bodega we were there too.”

After a five-year disappearance, cast and crew of Corner Gas are reuniting this week in Saskatchewan.

Filming of the movie, based on the hit TV show, began Sunday in Rouleau and in Regina, including a couple of scenes in the Cathedral neighbourhood.

Corner Gas ran for six seasons before ending in 2009, but for the actors who play Hank and Sergeant Davis Quinton, Dog River still feels like home.

“I think the day before we were all freaking out about it,” said Lorne Cardinal who plays Quinton. “Then we did one big group scene together and it was like ‘oh ya we got this’.”

About 200 extras, 20 actors, and more than 60 per cent of the crew are from Saskatchewan.

“It’s looking like approximately four million dollars will be spent here over the next about eight weeks. So that’s a good economic influx,” said Virginia Thompson, executive producer of the project.

While there’s been no official talk of a sequel, the actors are optimistic: “Brent (Butt) says this is the one and done. But I think success can change his mind,” said Cardinal.