<Li> Patrick Stewart (uncredited voice) as a sheep with long legs that was seen in Albert's drug trip . </Li> <P> A Million Ways to Die in the West originated as an inside joke between MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild, while they were watching Hang' Em High . The joke evolved into "riffing on the idea of how dull, depressing, and dangerous it must have been to live in the Wild West ." MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of westerns, began researching the topic, using Jeff Guinn's nonfiction novel, The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral--And How It Changed the American West as an "invaluable resource," and basis for many of the ways of dying in the film . Various aspects of the film were inspired by real westerns . The decision to make Albert a sheep herder was inspired by Montana (1950) and his average, non-confrontational demeanor by 3: 10 to Yuma (1957). Other westerns that inspired MacFarlane and the crew during writing included Oklahoma! (1955), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and El Dorado (1966). </P> <P> The film was first announced on December 3, 2012, marking MacFarlane's second foray into live - action directing, after 2012's Ted . Principal photography began on May 6, 2013 . Filming locations included various areas in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, also including the Santa Fe Studio in Santa Fe . Principal photography ended on August 9, 2013 . The film shoot was difficult, as the cast and crew navigated rough weather: "everything from hailstorms to blistering heat to arctic winds and torrential rainstorms ." </P> <P> Neeson, who nearly always suppresses his Irish accent when acting, agreed to play the part of Clinch only on the condition that he could use his Irish accent . Neeson remarked on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he made this demand because an episode of MacFarlane's Family Guy had previously made a joke out of the juxtaposition of Neeson playing a cowboy with an Irish accent . </P>

A million ways to die in the west filming locations